Tragedy in the Mozambique Channel: experienced sailors' adventure of a lifetime ends in heartbreak
An Australian sailor and her French companion were found dead aboard their yacht in the Mozambique Channel. Their journey, which began in Réunion Island and was headed for Durban, was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime.
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Australian sailor Deirdre “Cookie” Sibly, 67, and her French companion, Pascal, have sadly been found dead aboard their yacht after issuing a distress signal somewhere between Madagascar and the South African coast.
The pair were reportedly on a voyage that began in Réunion Island, heading south through the Mozambique Channel towards Durban. Their journey, launched around June, was intended to end with Deirdre flying home from Durban.
The Mozambique Channel, the stretch of ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, is not for the faint-hearted. It stretches roughly 1 850 kilometres and is well known among sailors for its tricky navigation.
The channel is often buffeted by strong currents, swirling eddies and unpredictable weather systems.
In particular, the area around Cape Correntes, the southern entry to the channel, is known historically as one of the most dangerous maritime obstacles in the Indian Ocean, with powerful south‑flowing currents and sudden gusts that can make steering a small yacht a gamble.
But sea hazards aren’t the only reason sailors approach the channel with caution. The Mozambique Channel has a history of piracy and maritime crime.
Between 2010 and 2013, pirate groups, including those originating from Somalia, were active along the East African coast and Mozambique’s waters, targeting fishing vessels and small merchant ships.
In response, South African and Mozambican navies launched joint patrols, such as Operation Copper, to curb the threat. While piracy has declined since its peak, shipping and maritime-safety reports still classify parts of the channel as higher-risk for smaller vessels, particularly yachts.
On Thursday, a distress signal from the yacht prompted a coordinated response. When authorities reached the vessel, Sibly and Mahe were found deceased. At this stage, official identification has been made, but the cause of death has not been released.
Sibly’s sister, Sue Good, told Australian media that her sister had a life defined by adventure and the sea. “They’ve been on the adventure of a lifetime, and she was having the time of her life,” Good said.
Investigations are ongoing, with Australian consular authorities working alongside French and regional maritime agencies to piece together what happened.