An overturned vessel found off the coast of Kangaroo Island on New Year's Eve has been identified as the 'Wild Eyes'.
The vessel was spotted from the air by a tuna spotting plane about 11 nautical miles south of Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island about 12.30pm on Monday 31 December. The police helicopter (PolAir) was sent to investigate, along with two commercial fishing vessels operating nearby.
The boat was subsequently identified as the 'Wild Eyes', which had been abandoned eight years ago in the middle of the Indian Ocean during a round the world voyage.
On 10 June 2010, the "Wild Eyes" was dismasted in rough seas halfway between the Western Australian coast and Africa in the Indian Ocean while American Abby Sunderland was attempting to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo. A rescue was coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and she was eventually rescued by a French commercial fishing vessel on 12 June.
