The Australian sailing community is in mourning after the tragic confirmation that experienced South Australian mariner Deirdre 'Cookie' Sibly and her travelling companion have been found dead. The pair went missing during a sailing expedition in the perilous waters between Mozambique and Madagascar.
Distress Signal and Recovery Mission
A distress signal was issued from their vessel on November 27, triggering an immediate international search effort. French coast guards, assisted by commercial ships in the area, launched a recovery mission in the notorious Mozambique Channel. During this operation, authorities located the sailing yacht and boarded it, where they made the grim discovery of two bodies.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has formally confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that one of the deceased is the 67-year-old Port Lincoln sailor, Deirdre Sibly. Her death remains under investigation by relevant authorities. DFAT offered its condolences but cited privacy obligations when declining to comment on the specific circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
A Seasoned Sailor on the Trip of a Lifetime
According to her friend Fran Solly, Sibly was sailing on a friend's yacht with her French companion, Pascal Mahe. They were en route to Durban, South Africa, from where they planned to fly home. Sibly had described the extended voyage as her "trip of a lifetime." It is believed the second body recovered is that of Mahe.
Despite the known dangers of the region, which is infamous for pirate activity, Sibly was no novice. She possessed decades of sailing experience. For over 30 years, she and her late husband, Colin Sibly, were well-known figures in Australian sailing and lifesaving circles, often visiting coastal communities in their yacht Calista. Colin, a beloved life member of the Port Elliot Surf Life Saving Club, died from cancer in 2019.
After his passing, Cookie moved to Port Lincoln and continued sailing, often single-handedly, in her yacht Island Pearl. She remained an active and cherished member of the maritime community, involved with groups like the Friends of Reevesby Island and local conservation efforts.
Community Mourns a 'Vibrant Sailor'
Tributes have poured in on social media, painting a picture of a passionate and energetic sailor. Fellow sailor Eric Cotz remembered her as a "popular and much loved leading light" whose energy was "amazing."
Her sister, Sue Good, previously acknowledged to 7NEWS that Cookie was aware of the risks. "It isn't a very safe place in the world to be sailing. She knew that," Good stated, highlighting the seasoned mariner's understanding of the challenges posed by the remote channel.
While the exact cause of this devastating incident is yet to be determined, it marks a profound loss for Australia's close-knit sailing community and for all who knew the adventurous spirit of Deirdre 'Cookie' Sibly.
