The Australian government will shoulder the cost in the rescue of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland, who was forced to send off a distress call after drifting for three days more than 2,000 miles southwest of Perth, while trying to circumnavigate the world solo.

According to the Australian government, it would not send Sunderland's family the bill in her rescue when her boat was damaged in the middle of the Indian Ocean last week.

Australia chartered a Qantas Airways Ltd-owned Airbus A330-300 on June 11 to airlift and assist in the rescue operation of the missing sailor. The plane was vital in finding the location the teen sailor.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said on Ten television network on Sunday: "That's not the way the law works," when queried who would pay for the rescue of Sunderland.

"The Australian taxpayer at the end of the day makes a contribution."

Reports said that the 16-year-old girl experienced trouble after her vessel, the Wild Eyes, encountered strong winds of up to 60 knots and seas reaching 25 feet.

She was attempting to circumnavigate the world on a solo trip. She left Del Rey Yacht Club in California on Jan. 23.

In her blog entry in her web site: Sunderland said that her timing of the voyage, age and other factors, are the things most people are blaming for her unsuccessful voyage.

"The truth is, I was in a storm and you don't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm. As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?," she said.

Last month, another 16-year-old Australian girl Jessica Watson completed a seven-month solo trip across the world when she arrived into Sydney Harbour on May 15.