4 Australians missing in Indonesia after 30th birthday trip found alive floating on surfboards
Four surfers who went missing during a 30th birthday trip after their boat was caught in bad weather off Indonesia have been found.
Elliot Foote, Steph Weiss, Jordan Short, and Will Teagle were found on Tuesday following a days-long search.
The group vanished after their charter boat failed to return from a remote island off North Sumatra on Sunday.
A Google document used by the four families and seen by The Daily Telegraph was updated to read: “All four Australians found alive”.
The four friends were reportedly found by rescuers floating on surfboards in waters off Indonesia’s western-most islands.
The group had been on a birthday surfing trip and were traveling on a longboat to Banyak Island near Banda Aceh when they hit bad weather.
A search operation was launched on Monday, with Indonesian authorities among those looking for the missing boat.
A day earlier, Foote, from Northern New South Wales, wrote on Instagram that it was “so good” to be back in Indonesia.
“Soho gulah Sorake … so good being back in Indo after so many years. Sharing waves with mates and the queen,” Foote wrote.
“Starting the trip off with hiking in the North Sumatran jungle and seeing Orangutan’s was an amazing experience and something that I look forward to doing again for a longer time and going deeper.
“Bukit Lawang is a beautiful spot with such kind people.”
The message was adjoined by photos of Foote surfing alongside his partner, Weiss.
Australian and Indonesian search crews were dispatched on Monday to try and find the group, who are all from NSW.
Indonesian authorities, local fisherman, and a private plane chartered for by the Australian government scanning the waves.
The search effort, which is also looking for three Indonesian crewmen missing from the boat, was called off at sunset.
‘Every minute counts’: Dad pleas for help
Foote’s father, Peter Foote, told Nine he had tried texting his son before the disappearance on Sunday.
After a sleepless night on Monday, Foote said he was still optimistic about the chances of finding his son safe and sound.
“Apparently they have food and water on the boat and the boat has a roof so it should be all right,” he said.
“But, it hasn’t got electronic stuff: no navigation stuff, no communication stuff (…) IPERBs, GPS.”
Foote, from Sydney’s eastern suburbs doubted the boat had capsized and believes they likely ran out of fuel.
He urged cooperation between Australian and Indonesia authorities.
“Maybe they need to expand the area if they would have drifted,” he said.
“This morning they will ramp up and we will get them back soon.
“I just hope we can get some eyes in the sky, there are a lot of islands.”
Foote said the news of his son’s disappearance was “pretty tough.”
“You feel it physically, in the stomach, everywhere,” he said.
“It is really painful. Anyone who has been through it will know and understand.
“I haven‘t felt like this before. My heart is aching. It is just terrible.”
Foote said he hoped Australian authorities could “expedite” the delivery of aircraft for the search.
They joined local fishing vessels and charter boats which were aiding Indonesia authorities.
Foote said the surfing community had also “come together” to aid in the desperate search.
“It is going to be a long, long day for them,” he said.
“I don‘t know how long their supplies are going to last for.
“The sooner the better, really. Every minute counts.”
Birthday adventure turns to disaster
The group of 12 Australians in total had been traveling in Sumatra and on the island of Nias to celebrate Foote’s 30th birthday.
On Instagram, Foote shared details and photos of the groups travels, including to the popular nature park Bukit Lawang.
Setting off got Banyak Island, the group of 12 are understood to have separated onto two boats.
One boat took refuge on Sarang Alu, an island between the two the group were traveling between on Sunday.
The eight tourists on board arrived safely at their destination on Sunday night.
The other, containing the four missing people, is understood to have opted to have continued travellng.
Previously, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said the Australian families had been informed of the search.
“A search and rescue operation is underway following reports of a missing vessel off the west coast of Indonesia,” the spokesman said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the families of four Australians on-board.
“It is working closely with Indonesian authorities to support search and rescue efforts.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those missing during this distressing time.”
Foote described the group as “resilient, resourceful kids”, and said he was “hoping for a call anytime.”
His son Elliot , who is a carpenter, is a former Scots College student.
He recently moved to Murwillumbah in northern NSW to be with Weisse.
The elder Foote had paid for his son to go on the fateful trip to Indonesia with his 11 “best mates.”
The group were all high school friends from Sydney and surfing mates from northern NSW.
In a statement released through DFAT, the families of the four Australians said they hoped to hear good news soon.
“Our hearts are aching at the thought that Elliot, Steph, Will and Jordan are missing at sea,” the four families said.
“We continue to pray and hold out hope they will be found.
“We’d like to thank the Indonesian authorities and the Australian government for their ongoing assistance while search efforts continue.
“We ask that the media respect the privacy of our family and friends during this distressing time.”
Teagle’s sister Amy took to social media on Monday asking anyone who might be traveling in the area to offer assistance in the search.
“My brother and three of his mates are missing,” Teagle said.
“Please if you know anyone in Sumatra that can offer any assistance let me know.”
Local authorities scrambling to find missing boat
Speaking to the media on Monday, Indonesian National Search and Rescue agency Nias Island chief Octavianto said search teams had been dispatched to find those missing.
“Last night the Pinang Resort reported that a speedboat with 10 passengers had arrived in Pinang Island (at about 10.18pm local time), while another speedboat with seven people on board had not arrived yet,” he said.
“We’ve deployed three ships … and they are now moving towards the location for search and rescue. However, the issue is that the (missing vessel) is a basic wooden boat without any tracking devices or the like.”
Poor weather and visibility have hindered the ability of search parties to locate the missing Aussies.
The search follows a string of high-profile incidents involving Australians, particularly in Indonesia’s restive Aceh province.
Noosa man Bodhi Risby-Jones was asked to pay $39,500 to the families of people involved in an alleged drunken rampage on Simeulue Island.
The island is likewise located off the western Sumatra coast nearby to where the four Australians disappeared on Sunday.
