Australian Sailor Dies as Boat Capsizes off Siargao, Philippines

An Australian sailor, Anthony “Johnny” Mahoney, died while floating in the waters off Siargao Island for six days when he and two friends attempted to sail from Australia to Subic Bay but their boat capsized.

Mr Mahoney, 73, was on a sailing adventure with two mates to deliver a sailboat from North Queensland to its new home when the trio were confronted by violent storms and abandoned ship last Thursday.

The men, all accomplished sailors, activated an emergency EPIRB beacon before deserting the 18m Katerina.

Two more EPIRB signals were activated last Friday as the three men were battered by all of Mother Nature’s fury in a flurry of wild storms, huge seas and scorching temperatures.

When they were finally rescued by a Filippino fishing boat yesterday morning, it was too late for Mr Mahoney. Lawrence Alered Mallea, 68, also of Queensland; and Lionec Peter Ansselin, 74, who is at present residing in Baccuit Sur in Bauang, La Union, are now recuperating at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Philippines.