Although this might sound like something from an action film, Australian authorities say that the drama took place in reality over the weekend.
On Saturday morning, a cargo ship bound for the port city of Newcastle, New South Wales, found a cruise ship that was experiencing difficulties in the waters off the coast of Yamba, according to the Australian Border Force. The crew put a tow line to bring the yacht to Newcastle, and brought the captain of the yacht – a 31-year-old man – on board.
But when the ship approached its destination later that night, it was found that the tow line carrying the cruise ship had broken up, and the cruise ship – and the man – disappeared.
Authorities are looking for missing people in the area, but are unable to find him, said border forces.
On Monday – two days after the man disappeared – officers from the NSW Police and the Australian Border Force (ABF) searched the cargo ship with dogs and found the man hiding in an air conditioning unit.
The officer, who found the man violated bail due to alleged sexual assault, believed that he had deliberately cut the cruise ship, and had planned to save on the ship until leaving Australia for Malaysia.
Officers arrested the man and confiscated 4,435 Australian dollars (about $ 3,070) in cash and knives, which would undergo a forensic examination. Border forces officials say he was charged with breaching bail and will appear in court on Wednesday.