Teen Sailor Abby Sunderland 'In Good Spirits' Despite Storm; Fishing Boat Making Rescue

June 11, 2010 — -- Teen sailor Abby Sunderland is "in good spirits" today after a ferocious Indian Ocean storm crippled her boat, said a rescue team that made contact at dawn with the distressed sailor.

"She told them she was fine, she was in good health, the vessel was not taking on water," said her father, Laurence.

Rescue was expected to come in the early hours of Saturday morning, U.S. time. A fishing boat was the vessel closest to her. Sunderland may have to stay with its crew and fish for a while until she is able to return home.

"Abby is in very good spirits," said Will Blackshaw, leader of an airborne crew from Australia that made brief radio contact with Sunderland about 2 a.m. ET. "She's obviously keen to have some assistance, but she is in very good spirits."

The rescue team's report was posted to a blog tracking Abby's attempt to become the youngest sailor to achieve a solo circumnavigation of the globe. The post included a picture of Abby's boat, Wild Eyes, with the mast broken off.

Abby, 16, was feared lost at sea Thursday. She had reported 20- to 25-foot waves and 35-knot winds before her support crew lost contact with her. During the storm, her boat nearly capsized several times, its sail touching the water. By the time was storm was over, the Wild Eyes' radar was smashed and its mast was broken off.

Australia's Fire and Emergency Services said a second, smaller plane would leave Perth early Saturday morning to conduct another sighting.

"The seas are very rough indeed, and there is a lot of wind, and she is obviously going to have a very uncomfortable night of sleep," said Blackshaw.

Click HERE to watch Abby give a tour of her boat.

Blackshaw said the plane was conducting its first pass of the area and had been searching for Abby for only 10 minutes when she was spotted, according to the blog posting.