A SURFER who fell overboard and was left floating for 27 hours in Indonesia has been rescued by a Sydney-owned private charter boat.

South African Brett Archibald was among 10 passengers on a tour boat making the overnight trip between Padang and the Mentawais.

He was reported missing by a fellow passenger after failing to turn up for breakfast, surf magazine Stab reported. The Cape Town resident had reportedly been suffering from seasickness.

Private surf charter boats in the area - led by the Sydney-owned Barrenjoey - joined the rescue bid.

The Indonesian Federal Search and Rescue Basarmas also co-ordinated a search and rescue with local Indonesian authorities and coast guard.

The captain of the Barrenjoey, which is owned by Sydney couple John and Belinda McGroder, found Archibald, 50, in the ocean, floating on his back.

Captain Doris discovered Archibald today about 20 kilometres from where the surfer had fallen overboard 27 hours earlier.

Archibald, who was sunburnt and dehydrated, will be taken to Padang.



“Brett Archibald has boarded the Barenjoey 20 mins ago,” wrote All Aboard Travel on their Facebook. “He is alive. A bit sunburnt and dehydrated. He was floating alone. The boat is taking him to the Indies Trader III so that he can phone his wife."