A mysterious collision described as “the most harrowing test of their lives” has abruptly halted the decade-long sailing adventures of Australian YouTube stars Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu “indefinitely.”
The couple detailed how they and their two young children were recently sleeping aboard their anchored catamaran La Vagabonde when it was struck by another ship off the Japanese island of Okinoshima earlier this month.
“We recently experienced the most harrowing test of our lives,” Whitelum told his 379,000 Facebook followers last week.
While no one was “physically harmed, for which we are deeply grateful,” the incident left the family “shocked and deeply impacted” as they pondered their next step.
“We are immensely grateful for everyone’s messages of support and understanding during this time,” Mr. Whitelum continued.
‘As we process and recover from this incident, we ask for your patience as we take the much-needed time to regroup and assess the situation.
“However, the damage to our ship is extensive and our sailing voyage has been interrupted indefinitely.”
He added that a Yahoo News article circulating in Japan “contains inaccuracies about the incident.”
Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu’s nautical adventures have been suspended ‘indefinitely’
A mysterious accident off the coast of Japan has put the sick adventures of Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu on hold indefinitely.
“We ask for your understanding as we address these discrepancies and manage the legal complexities involved,” Mr. Whitelum said.
Since then, the couple has received more than 1,300 messages of support.
‘I’m so sorry to hear that, guys. I know your vessel means a lot to you, but everything is replaceable and family is not. I am very glad that you are all well. What a terrible thing has happened,” commented one woman.
Another added: ‘Sending love and healing vibes to everyone on board, we admire your strength and tenacity. This is an incident that, although heartbreaking and unfortunate, you are resourceful and will get through.
The couple, originally from South Australia and Western Australia, gained 1.93 million subscribers on YouTube after quitting their jobs and setting sail in 2014 with no prior maritime experience.
Riley Whitelum (pictured left) and Elayna Carausu along with children Lenny and Darwin aboard the catamaran La Vagabonde
In 2017, Riley and Elayna took possession of the $900,000 catamaran they now call home, after reaching a deal with French company Outremer.
In 2019, they made headlines by bringing climate change activist Greta Thunberg to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Spain.
While traveling the world’s oceans, the couple has since had Lenny, 5, and Darwin, 2.
In the most recent video of the couple they sail towards the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
During their decade of seafaring, they claim to have faced “financial disasters, life-threatening storms, pirate fears, equipment and communications failures.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Whitelum and Carausu for comment.
