Tragedy as an experienced Australian sailor is found dead on her yacht in mysterious circumstances during the adventure of a lifetime off Madagascar

The family of an Australian sailor who was found dead with his traveling companion on their yacht off the coast of South Africa fears the sailor may have been attacked by pirates.

Deirdre Sible, 68, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, and her French friend Pascal raised a distress signal as they set out for Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa, on Thursday when they encountered trouble.

Local authorities and nearby ships rushed to help but found the couple’s bodies on board. Both were experienced sailors.

South African seas are dangerous for maritime violence, prompting fears among Ms Sible’s heartbroken loved ones about how the pair died.

‘The world is not a very safe place to sail. “He knew about it,” his sister Sue Good told Seven News.

Ms. Sible had been crossing the Indian Ocean since June after meeting her French traveling companion on Réunion Island.

The two headed west through the Mozambique Channel to Durban, South Africa, from where Ms. Sible would fly home.

“They were on the adventure of a lifetime and he was having the time of his life,” Ms Good told Nine News.

Ms. Sible is remembered for her adventurous spirit

‘We only know that they were found dead on the yacht, we don’t know anything about how this happened.

‘How could this happen to two happy people doing what they love?’

The Somali seas, further north of Madagascar on Africa’s east coast, have a long and troubled history of piracy spanning decades, while South African waters have become a new hotspot of nefarious activity in recent years.

In 2011, the Institute for Security Studies stated that South African waters were becoming ‘an increasingly attractive alternative for Somali pirates who have become aware of the existence of valuable prey waiting to be exploited’.

Pirates are targeting unarmed ships, both ‘recreational and commercial’, traveling to tourist destinations in the region, including the Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa, according to a report by the non-profit think tank.

Earlier this month, a Maltese-flagged oil tanker traveling from India to Durban, South Africa, was targeted by Somali pirates.

The bandits fired machine guns and grenades before boarding the Aphrodite of Hellas off the coast of Somalia, forcing the 24 sailors on board to lock themselves in a section of the ship as the attackers took control of the ship.

A European Union navy ship rushed to the rescue as the pirates abandoned ship before the Spanish warship arrived. All 24 crew members were unharmed during the incident.

Image: Miss Sible’s ship

Miss Sible’s family fear the experienced sailor (pictured) could fall victim to pirates

The State Department has not yet linked the deaths of Ms. Sible and her companion to the pirates. Authorities are still investigating the situation.

‘DFAT is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian missing in the Mozambique channel,’ a spokesman said.

‘Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

‘Due to our confidentiality obligations we are unable to comment further.’

Meanwhile, tributes have begun to flood the internet for Ms. Sible, who was affectionately known as ‘Cookie’ by her loved ones.

Her friend Sarah Mack described her as ‘the ultimate adventurer’.

‘Cook never lets the grass grow under his feet. “She took everything life had to offer and rushed towards every opportunity with unbridled energy, joy and enthusiasm to explore, learn and most importantly have fun,” Ms. Mack said.

‘The ultimate bonus mom, passionate teacher, ocean advocate and experienced sailor. I loved every second I spent with him.

‘Thank you for everything you have given me in this life. ‘I will miss you both forever and I will see you in the waves, in the sunsets and in the sea creatures.’

Another friend said Ms. Sible was ‘a very beautiful woman.’

‘Rest in peace, Cookie,’ he said.

Mrs Sible was an experienced sailor who sailed around the world with her husband Colin before her death from cancer in 2019.

“You were swept away too soon against the receding tide,” Ms. Sible wrote in an obituary at the time.

‘We had more oceans to cross together. Let the wind sit well on the shoulders of your sails. Your soul will be with me forever.

‘Your best friend, crewmate, adventurer and mate, Cookie.’