GOOD NEWS – AT 8:25 A.M. ET:  Many have been following this story, so it's great to report some good news, from Fox:

CANBERRA, Australia -- A 16-year-old sailor on a round-the-world journey was adrift in the frigid southern Indian Ocean on Friday as rescue boats headed toward her yacht, damaged by 30-foot waves that knocked out her communications and prompted her to set off a distress signal.

After a tense 20 hours of silence, a search plane launched from Australia's west coast made radio contact with Abby Sunderland on Friday.

The boat's mast was broken -- ruining satellite phone reception -- and was dragging with the sail in the ocean, said search coordinator Mick Kinley, acting chief of the Australia Maritime Safety Authority that chartered a commercial jet for the search.

But the keel was intact, the yacht was not taking on water and Abby was equipped for the conditions, he said.

"The aircraft (crew) spoke to her. They told her help was on the way and she sounds like she's in good health," Kinley told reporters in Canberra.

COMMENT:  Once again Australia steps up and does the job.  It would have been nice, by the way, had the AP mentioned up front that Abby is an American, but we have to wait many paragraphs for that.  She's a gutsy American girl.  This voyage may be over, but I have the feeling she'll try again.

June 11,  2010