We were always safe, says yachtie
Yachtie Alan Langdon sailed across the Tasman Sea with his 6-year-old daughter for three weeks in a tiny catamaran with a faulty rudder.
A seemingly relaxed and calm Langdon spoke to reporters of his weeks at sea with daughter Que after they were found alive in Ulladulla, a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia, yesterday afternoon.
‘‘I tell you I learnt a lot about sailing,’’ Langdon said.
’’Yes we are safe and well. We were always safe, we just couldn’t let anyone know.’’
Langdon, an experienced yachtsman, played down any potential danger surrounding the voyage.
He said one of the catamaran’s rudders broke four days into the 27-day journey and he was left to steer with one rudder.
Que appeared happy, relaxed and played on a nearby boat in the harbour.
Langdon said he and his daughter were looking forward to some muchneeded rest and planned to spend the night in an Ulladulla motel.
When asked about his daughter’s wellbeing Langdon said Que was ‘‘happy’’.
‘‘We had plenty of food and saw lots of whales,’’ he said. ’’We just have lots to do now.’’
Langdon said he had not been able to make contact with Que’s mother, Ariane Wyler, but was ’’sure’’ the authorities had done so.
Border Force agents made a port-toport request for the Langdons to travel north to Port Kembla Harbour.
While reporters were speaking to Langdon, he calmly went about sorting and tidying items on the boat which included almonds, a bodyboard and oars.
Soon after, he left the boat and asked reporters for directions to the local Telstra shop.
Langdon, 49, and Que set sail from Kawhia Harbour in the Waikato on December 17.
Mary Smith, a close friend who Langdon and Que 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.’’
New Zealand police were waiting to hear more details about Langdon and Que’s weeks-long journey. Que’s mother had been notified. Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe, of Waikato police, confirmed Interpol had alerted Australian authorities of Langdon’s possible arrival as part of the investigation. – Fairfax NZ saucepan, a