Col Blanch reveals Chinese seafarer rescued off Geraldton after 14 hours lost at sea was wearing survival suit

The Chinese seafarer rescued after 14 hours spent in the freezing ocean off Geraldton was wearing a special survival suit when he was found and plucked to safety, WA’s new Police Commissioner has revealed. Authorities to date have been tight-lipped about how the Chinese national, who is a crew member on board the iron ore bulk carrier Guang Mao that had been anchored 11.5km off Geraldton since Saturday, came to be in the water — whether he fell overboard or deliberately jumped in and tried to swim to shore. Police Commissioner Col Blanch shed new light on the maritime mystery on Tuesday. When asked how the rescued sailor was able to survive after so long in the water, Mr Blanch said: “He was wearing what’s called an immersion suit, so obviously that helped a significant amount, but these are all the conversations we’re going to have to have about how long he’s been in the water and what actually occurred.” “We’re still speaking to both him and the crew. I can say it’s obviously a very good outcome, it was a big effort to find him, we’re glad we’ve now found him.” Questioned about whether this could be a border breach or asylum issue, Mr Blanch said: “These are the things we’re discussing, again we have to talk to the crew, we have to talk to him.” An immersion, or survival, suit is a special waterproof dry suit that provides protection from hypothermia and boosts survival time in cold water. The alarm was raised about the missing man in his 30s about 6.30pm on Sunday, prompting a desperate sea and air search, coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. He was found more than 14 hours later, about 8am on Monday, in waters about 25km north-west of Geraldton, off the Oakajee coast. The seafarer, wrapped in a blanket, was able to walk off his rescue vessel at Geraldton’s Fishing Boat Harbour and into a waiting ambulance on Monday morning. The rescued sailor was taken to Geraldton Health Campus, accompanied by Australian Border Force officers, but was discharged by the evening. It is unclear whether the man was taken straight back to the Guang Mao after being released from hospital. Questions have been put to AMSA, Border Force, police and the Mid West Ports Authority about the circumstances surrounding the man ending up in the water and his rescue. They have either declined to comment or not yet responded to queries.