New Zealand sailor Alan Langdon charged by police

Alan Langdon, who sailed with his six-year-old daughter to Australia with just one rudder, has been charged with taking a child from New Zealand

TAGS:

16 January

Sailor Alan Langdon, who sailed across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand to Australia with his six-year-old daughter, Que, is now facing criminal charges.

A major search operation of New Zealand’s North Island was launched after the pair were initially reported missing.

Langdon, 49, and Que left Kawhia Harbour in the Waikato, North Island on 17 December 2016.

They were reported missing by a relative on Boxing Day when they failed to make contact.

It was thought that they were heading for the Bay of Islands to spend Christmas with friends, but the pair turned up in in Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia last week.

Langdon told the authorities that one of the rudders on his Wharam designed catamaran broke just four days into their voyage.

Police have now charged the sailor.

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, Detective Sergeant Bill Crowie, said: “A 49-year-old man is due in Te Awamutu District Court on 25 January 2017, charged with taking a child from New Zealand.”

Six-year-old Que Langdon has been reunited with her mother in Australia.

 

11 January 

A Kiwi sailor and his six-year-old daughter, who were reported missing, have turned up in Australia safe and well after 27 days at sea.

Alan Langdon and his daughter, Que, set sail in a Wharam designed catamaran from Kawhia Harbour in New Zealand on 17 December 2016.

A relative reported them missing to the police when they failed to make contact.

Now, the father and daughter have arrived in Ulladulla, New South Wales, following rudder failure.

Langdon told the Milton Ulladulla Times that one of the catamaran’s rudders broke four days into the journey. He was left to steer with one rudder.

“I tell you I learnt a lot about sailing,” the 49-year-old told the newspaper.

“Yes we are safe and well. We were always safe, we just couldn’t let anyone know,” he added.

Waikato Police Search and Rescue and the Auckland Police Maritime Unit with support from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand, Coastguard and the New Zealand Air Force carried out a major search of New Zealand’s north island after Langdon and his daughter went missing.

The search was later called off.

Que Langdon’s mother hired an Australian child recovery expert to try and find her daughter.

Ariane Wyler has previously used specialist investigators to locate her estranged husband and daughter.

 

5 January 

New Zealand Police say they have now completed the physical search for missing sailor Alan Langdon and his daughter, Que.

The 49-year-old father and his six-year-old child have not been seen since 17 December 2016, when they left Kawhia Harbour in the Waikato, North Island.

It is thought they were heading for the Bay of Islands to spend Christmas with friends, however they did not arrive.

A relative contacted the police on Boxing Day, concerned that she had not heard from them.

In a statement, the New Zealand Police said: “Mr Langdon left the Kawhia Harbour with his six-year-old daughter Que on 17 December. It has been suggested that the boat was stocked for a voyage, but it is unknown what direction he went after leaving the vicinity of the Kawhia Harbour.”

Officers said Langdon did not notify anyone of his intentions.

Langdon and his daughter are believed to be on a 6.1-metre Wharram design catamaran. It is painted white, with blue anti-fouling paint.

It has white sails. The number T878 in black is visible on the sail.

Wharram catamaran being sought in New Zealand

Alan Langdon’s Wharram-designed catamaran. Photo supplied by NZ Police

The police search has covered the western coastline of the North Island, from Wellington to Cape Reinga and the eastern coastline from Cape Reinga to the Bay of Islands.

“There have been a number of unconfirmed sightings of similar vessels in the upper North Island area, but none of any significance since the New Year,” said the police.

Interpol have also been notified of the missing boat and its occupants, in the chance that Langdon has sailed to Australia or the Pacific Islands.

“The enquiry file will be maintained by the Waikato CIB and response planned for positive sightings or information coming to hand,” said the police statement.

“This search has covered a wide area of the New Zealand coastline as a consequence of Mr Langdon not giving anybody any notification of his intentions,” it continued.

“It has been managed by the Waikato Police Search and Rescue and the Auckland Police Maritime Unit with support from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre of New Zealand, Coastguard and the New Zealand Air Force.”

Officers hope Langdon will make contact when he arrives at his destination.

Meanwhile, Que Langdon’s mother has hired an Australian child recovery expert to find her.

Ariane Wyler has previously used specialist investigators to locate her estranged husband and daughter.