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Indonesian search and rescue crews are continuing to scour the waters off Aceh for the final crew member of the wooden boat that went missing on Sunday night carrying four Australians.
- The captain of the boat says they were struck by strong waves
- He says his missing friend was swept eastward as they decided what to do
- He and four Australians were rescued after spending over 36 hours adrift
Indonesia's national search and rescue authority Basarnas said that despite relatively calm conditions and the help of multiple boats, a plane and drone, there was still no sign of the final Indonesian crew member Fifan Satria by the time the search was called off at 5pm.
The captain of the boat, Yunardi Ardi, told the ABC of the moment he last saw his friend and crew member during the ordeal.
"The waves were high and we all discussed quickly and decided to swim to the nearest island using the last rays of sunset as our guide," he said.
"The foreigners started paddling, we the Indonesians stayed floating, my missing friend looked weak as he was carried by a wave to the east towards Singkil."
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its thoughts were with the man's family.
They also expressed the Australian Government's deep gratitude to the Indonesian authorities and others involved in the search and rescue efforts.
Mr Ardi said his boat capsized after being hit by big waves from the back and side so the group threw the surfboards in the water and jumped onto them to survive.
"I paddled in the direction of Nias and I could see the lighthouse of Sarang Baung Island," he told the ABC.
"The waves kept pulling me away from the island but eventually a rescuer found me near Palambak Island."
The four Australians who were onboard – Elliot Foote, Steph Weisse, Jordan Short and Will Teagle – are being supported by officials from the Embassy after more than 36 hours lost at sea and it's unclear when they'll return to Australia.
Peter Foote, the father of the fourth member, Elliot, told reporters in Sydney that he received a text message from an unknown number saying: "hi dad, I'm alive."
Mr Foote said patchy reception on the nearby islands had made it difficult to get in contact with the search crew for official confirmation, but he has since heard from a friend who told him Elliot is safe.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thanked Indonesian President Joko Widodo for the search and rescue efforts.
In recent years, the islands off Sumatra have become a popular destination for intrepid surfers thanks to the unspoiled nature and uncrowded waves but this incident is a reminder that while beautiful, these waters can also be dangerous.