Pair found after ruse Oz voyage
Missing yachtie Alan Langdon and his daughter, Que, have been found alive more than three weeks after they disappeared.
Police confirmed yesterday afternoon the pair had been found in Ulladulla, a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia.
Langdon, 49, and 6-year-old Que set sail on Langdon’s 6-metre catamaran from Kawhia Harbour in the Waikato on December 17. They had not been seen or heard from since.
Mary Smith, a close friend who Langdon and his daughter lived with in Kawhia, was overjoyed when she heard the news.
‘‘That’s all we have been praying for – for them to be safe and well. When he rings me and tells me and I can hear his voice, I will be happy.’’
Although Australian authorities are yet to officially confirm their identities, they believe the pair to be the missing Kiwis, New Zealand police said.
Officers in New Zealand were told of the discovery after the pair arrived in Ulladulla on Langdon’s catamaran. Langdon and his daughter were believed to be OK, police said. Langdon was talking to Australian officials.
New Zealand police were waiting to hear more details about Langdon and Que’s weeks-long journey.
Que’s mother, Ariane Wyler, had been notified.
Smith had received news the pair were in Australia yesterday evening and was contacting police for more information. She expected to hear from him soon, given he had now reached landfall. ‘‘I guess that will happen when they can.’’
Sailing was Langdon’s life, Smith said, and given his experience and knowledge of sailing it was not surprising he reached Australia.
Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe, of Waikato police, confirmed Interpol had alerted Australian authorities of Langdon’s possible arrival as part of the investigation into the missing pair.
Another friend of Langdon, who did not want to be named, was relieved the pair had been found safe and well.
‘‘I’m still disappointed that he did what he did, but the fact they have been found safe and well is a blessing,’’ the friend said.
‘‘I’ve spoken to a few friends and they are stoked that both are OK.
‘‘I’m going to clip Paddles [Langdon] around the ears when I see him and then give Que a great big hug.
‘‘I know Ariane will be happy her baby is safe and well and will be longing to hold Que in her arms.’’ – Fairfax NZ