The family of an Australian sailor discovered dead alongside her French travel companion on their yacht off the South African coast fear she may have fallen victim to pirates.
Tragic Discovery in Dangerous Waters
Deirdre Sibly, 68, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, and her companion Pascal were sailing near Madagascar when they encountered trouble last Thursday and sent out a distress signal. Local authorities and nearby vessels rushed to assist but made the grim discovery of both bodies onboard the yacht.
Both individuals were experienced sailors who had been navigating the Indian Ocean since June after meeting on Reunion Island. The pair were sailing down the Mozambique Channel headed west towards Durban, South Africa, where Ms Sibly was scheduled to fly home.
Family's Heartbreak and Pirate Concerns
Ms Sibly's devastated loved ones expressed fears that piracy may have been involved in the tragic incident. 'It isn't a very safe place in the world to be sailing. She knew that,' her sister Sue Good told Seven News.
Ms Good described her sister as having 'the time of her life' during what she called 'the adventure of a lifetime.' She added: 'We only know that they were found deceased on the yacht – we don't know anything about how that happened. How could this happen to two happy people doing what they loved?'
The South African seas have gained notoriety for maritime violence in recent years, becoming an increasingly attractive alternative for pirates who previously operated further north in Somali waters.
Growing Maritime Security Concerns
According to a 2011 report from the Institute For Security Studies, South African waters present 'increasingly attractive alternative to Somali pirates who realised that there is worthwhile prey waiting to be exploited.'
The non-profit think tank noted that pirates in the region target both 'recreational and commercial' unarmed vessels travelling to popular tourist destinations including the Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and South Africa.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs has not yet officially linked the deaths to piracy, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Remembering an Adventurous Spirit
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for Ms Sibly, affectionately known as 'Cookie' to friends and family. Friend Sarah Mack described her as 'the ultimate adventurer' who 'never let the grass grow under her feet.'
'Cook took all life had to offer and ran toward every opportunity with unbridled energy, joy and enthusiasm to explore, to learn and most importantly, to have fun,' Ms Mack said.
Ms Sibly was a seasoned sailor who had previously travelled the world sailing with her husband, Colin, before his death from cancer in 2019. In an obituary for her husband, she wrote: 'We had many more oceans to cross together. May the wind sit squarely in the shoulder of your sails.'
The tragic incident follows another recent piracy event in the region where a Malta-flagged oil tanker heading from India to Durban was targeted by Somali pirates earlier this month. Bandits fired machine guns and grenades before boarding the vessel, though all 24 crew members were eventually rescued unharmed.
