THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — A 16-year-old California girl who is adrift on her damaged yacht in the Indian Ocean will probably give up on her dream of sailing around the world alone.

Jeff Casher, the spokesman for Abby Sunderland's family, says the teen's boat is severely damaged and might be sunk at sea instead of being towed ashore and salvaged.

Rescuers are on the way to her location and hope to reach her between midnight and 12:30 a.m. Pacific on Saturday.

Sunderland was on a solo quest to sail around the world when a storm damaged her boat and she activated a distress beacon. Australian search rescue teams spotted her adrift in the frigid and choppy Indian Ocean.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — A 16-year-old California girl who is adrift on her damaged yacht in the Indian Ocean will probably give up on her dream of sailing around the world alone.

Jeff Casher, the spokesman for Abby Sunderland's family, said Friday the teen's boat is severely damaged and might be sunk at sea instead of being towed ashore and salvaged.

Rescuers are en route to her location and hope to reach her between midnight and 12:30 a.m. Pacific on Saturday.

Sunderland was on a solo quest to sail around the world when a storm damaged her boat and she activated a distress beacon. Australian search rescue teams spotted her adrift in the frigid and choppy Indian Ocean.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.