American man adrift at sea saved by fishermen in central Vietnam

By Pham Linh   June 4, 2024 | 08:34 pm PT
A 75-year-old American man has been saved by fishermen in Quang Ngai Province after his sailboat was broken as he was en route from the Philippines to Nha Trang City.

Fisherman Truong Khac Huy from Quang Ngai’s Binh Son District reported that while fishing with a crew about 100 km offshore on Monday afternoon, he noticed a sailboat moving erratically. Then, he saw an elderly foreign man on board signaling for help.

The Vietnamese fishermen approached the troubled vessel to find that the foreign man's health was unstable.

They towed his sailboat to Quang Ngai's Sa Huynh fishing port and handed it over to the local border guard. Medical staff checked his health, while the border guard agency helped contact his family and provided essential supplies.

The man identified himself as Quinn Richard Anthony, from the U.S.

American Quinn Richard Anthony at Sa Huynh fishing port in Quang Ngai Province, June 3, 2024. Photo by Minh Bang

American Quinn Richard Anthony at Sa Huynh fishing port in Quang Ngai Province, June 3, 2024. Photo by Minh Bang

On April 5, he set sail from Luzon Island in the Philippines, in a twin-hull sailboat with an engine that was purchased in the Philippines to travel to Nha Trang City in central Vietnam.

He carried various diving equipment, fast food, and cooking tools on the boat.

Halfway of the journey, strong winds caused the mast to break and then the engine also failed, leaving him adrift for several days, unable to reach the shore as planned, and his health deteriorated.

A twin-hull sailboat used by American Quinn Richard Anthony to sail from the Philippines to Nha Trang. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Linh

A twin-hull sailboat used by American Quinn Richard Anthony to sail from the Philippines to Nha Trang. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Linh

Anthony, who is now in stable condition, mentioned that he was quite anxious before meeting the Quang Ngai fishermen.

"I feel very fortunate to have received help from Vietnamese friends," he shared.

Currently, the sailboat is moored near the border guard station where mechanics are repairing the damaged engine and reassembling the mast for him to resume the journey.

American Quinn Richard Anthony after being saved by Vietnamese fishermen and border guards, June 3, 2024. Video by Minh Bang

 
 
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