The search for a missing Indonesian crew member has sadly been called off, a week after four Aussie surfers were miraculously rescued after 36 hours treading water in the middle of the ocean.
Elliot Foote, his girlfriend Steph Weisse and friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short became stranded in waters off the island of Sumatra after their wooden longboat ran into rough conditions and capsized on August 20.
The group then made the harrowing decision to separate from their three crew members in a desperate effort to find help.
They were found last Tuesday morning clinging to surfboards with Mohammad Iqbal and a second Indonesian crew member also plucked from the water soon after.
However, their inspiring tale of survival has been tinged with immense sadness as the group’s guide, Fifan Satrio, remains missing and is feared dead.
‘The search from the first until the seventh day has been effectively conducted, not only at sea but also along the shorelines around the Banyak islands, but the result was still zero,’ Local search and rescue agency head Octavianto told news agency Agence France-Presse on Monday.
The search for Fifan Satrio (pictured) has been called off
The search will only re-commence if new information comes to light.
A fundraiser has since been set up by Will Teagle’s sister, Amy, to support Mr Satrio and the Haloban village that rallied together to search for the missing tourists.
‘Our primary goal is to aid the Indonesian Haloban community, who helped save a group of strangers’ lives despite still having a family member missing,’ Ms Teagle wrote in the gofundme.
‘We will allocate a meaningful portion of the funds raised to provide essential support to this community and to the family of Fifan Satria during and beyond this traumatic time.
‘We also seek to extend gratitude and recompense to the individuals, businesses, and organisations who took part in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
‘These teams volunteered their resources, time, and efforts without a second thought, and where possible, we will use these funds to relieve the financial burden of their rescue effort. ‘
Mr Iqbal recalled how the Aussies paddled ahead in the desperate quest to find help after their boat had sunk.
He and the other crew member stayed behind with Mr Satrio, who wasn’t a strong swimmer and couldn’t keep up with the group.
‘The foreigners paddled very quickly but we couldn’t keep up and we had to look after Fifan,’ Mr Iqbal told The Australian.
‘I tried to give Fifan a lot of encouragement. I reminded him to tie his surfboard to his body so whatever happened – if he felt dizzy or passed out – he would not sink to the sea.
‘I told him if he didn’t do that and he passed out, he might not be found.’
Mr Iqbal last saw Mr Satrio clinging to a surfboard and life jacket undone.
Mr Satrio’s mother issued a tearful plea for the search to continue at a local service attended by the four Aussies on Thursday night.
The Aussies are delighted to be back on dry land but are heartbroken their Indonesian guide remains lost at sea.
![Elliot Foote (with girlfriend Steph Weisse) paid tribute to their missing guide on Thursday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74456137-12419267-Elliot_Foote_with_girlfriend_Steph_Weisse_paid_tribute_to_their_-a-5_1692333932405.jpg)
Elliot Foote (with girlfriend Steph Weisse) paid tribute to their missing guide on Thursday
![The four Aussie surfers (pictured with friends back on dry land) paddled ahead of their Indonesian crew members in the hope of getting help sooner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74456135-12419267-the_four_Aussie_surfers_pictured_with_friends_back_on_dry_land_p-a-6_1692333932408.jpg)
The four Aussie surfers (pictured with friends back on dry land) paddled ahead of their Indonesian crew members in the hope of getting help sooner
![Elliot Foote and his mates (pictured) remain in Indonesia to celebrate his 30th birthday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74456131-12419267-Elliot_Foote_and_his_mates_pictured_remain_in_Indonesia_to_celeb-a-7_1692333932430.jpg)
Elliot Foote and his mates (pictured) remain in Indonesia to celebrate his 30th birthday
‘We had a great service last night with Fifan’s family and the locals here – that was really special for us and special for them,’ Mr Foote told the Today show on Friday.
‘We are just so stoked and grateful for everyone and everything that happened, but we’re still mourning, though, we’re still upset at the end result but also happy to be here. ‘
It comes hours after Mr Foote broke his silence about the ordeal where he paid tribute to the group’s missing guide.
‘My deepest thoughts are with the family of Fifan. Our joyful young guide who hasn’t been found,’ Mr Foote posted earlier on Thursday.
‘I wish there was more we could have done to help you, and that will stay with me as a burden to bear.
‘I understand the loneliness you must’ve felt in those hours by yourself, and my condolences to your family.’
![Mr Foote's thoughts are with the family of Fifan (pictured), the group's joyful guide who hasn't been found](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74413767-12419267-Mr_Foote_s_thoughts_are_with_the_family_of_Fifan_pictured_the_gr-a-3_1692333932275.jpg)
Mr Foote’s thoughts are with the family of Fifan (pictured), the group’s joyful guide who hasn’t been found
![Aussie surfers Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short (pictured, left to right) spent 36 hours lost at seas before they were finally rescued](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74409639-12419267-Aussie_surfers_Steph_Weisse_Elliot_Foote_Will_Teagle_and_Jordan_-a-1_1692333932191.jpg)
Aussie surfers Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short (pictured, left to right) spent 36 hours lost at seas before they were finally rescued
The four surfers and their crew had chosen to push on through the rough weather on Sunday night while a group of eight of their friends took shelter on Saran Alu.
Mr Foote went on to say the experience was ‘something that I cannot comprehend’.
‘My emotions are incredibly mixed; elation, guilt, complete adrenaline, anxiety, pure joy and happiness,’ he said.
‘From the moment the boat went under until the time we were reunited on Pinang Island, uncertainty was the only certainty.
‘I didn’t know if my eight friends had made it to the island on the Sunday night before us, if my girlfriend Steph, Will and Jordan had been found and rescued before me or if I needed to get out there and find them.’
![This is the incredible moment Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short and an Indonesian crew member were located after 36 hours lost at sea](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74324117-12419267-This_is_the_incredible_moment_Steph_Weisse_Will_Teagle_and_Jorda-a-8_1692333932524.jpg)
This is the incredible moment Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short and an Indonesian crew member were located after 36 hours lost at sea
![Elliot Foote (pictured with girlfriend Steph) has thanked everyone involved in the search](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/18/05/74314037-12419267-Elliot_Foote_pictured_with_girlfriend_Steph_has_thanked_everyone-a-9_1692333932651.jpg)
Elliot Foote (pictured with girlfriend Steph) has thanked everyone involved in the search
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