International rescue mission-type person and singer Jill Barber.

Jill Barber on rescue mission in the South Pacific

According to CBC’s Grant Lawrence, Jill Barber‘s Air Canada flight was diverted for an international rescue mission.

The singer was on her way to Australia for a tour when the pilot learned that a yacht had overturned in the south Pacific. According to an email from Lawrence, Barber’s husband, “The Air Canada plane was the only aircraft in the vicinity, so the pilot announced they were obligated to search for the boat. The Air Canada jet flew RIGHT over the ocean, dipping its wings from side to side and asking all the passengers to look for the boat with any binoculars they might have with them.

“The boat was eventually spotted by passengers and Jill and many others saw the overturned boat with three people on the hull waving madly while bobbing in the blue South Pacific. The Air Canada plane was able to pinpoint the exact location and circle over top until the rescue helicopters swooped in. Everyone on the plane cheered at the sight of them. The plane arrived in Sydney an hour later than scheduled.”

Exciting news, and a good thing for the passengers of the sailboat.