SYDNEY — Two people were rescued unharmed Tuesday after spending a night aboard a disabled yacht in heavy seas off the Australian coast.
The 60-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were rescued at 7:30 a.m. from their 19-meter (62-foot) yacht, which was abandoned 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of the New South Wales state coast, Police Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said. The pair were expected to reach Sydney aboard a police boat Tuesday night.
The pair had activated their emergency beacon around 1 p.m. Monday, about 185 kilometers (115 miles) east of the New South Wales coastal town of Nowra, police said.
The yacht, “Spirit of Mateship,” had experienced a mechanical failure, lost a rudder, was taking water and was drifting east away from the shore, Brazzill said. With an ocean swell of 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) and winds of up 110 kilometers (70 miles) per hour, he said, conditions were considered too dangerous to attempt a rescue in the dark.
An air force C-130 Hercules transport plane flew to the yacht and made radio contact with the two people onboard. A police boat and an Australian navy warship reached the yacht early Tuesday.
Brazzill said a winching rescue by military helicopter was considered, but ruled out as too dangerous because of the sea conditions.
The pair were rescued in a small craft launched from the police boat, he said.
Two individuals were rescued from a disabled yacht off the Australian coast in a dramatic operation that showcased the bravery and skill of the country’s maritime rescue teams.
The incident occurred on a sunny afternoon off the coast of Queensland, when a distress call was received from a yacht that had suffered engine failure and was drifting aimlessly in the open sea. The two individuals on board, a man and a woman, were stranded and in need of immediate assistance.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) quickly mobilized a rescue operation, dispatching a search and rescue aircraft to locate the disabled yacht. The aircraft located the vessel within minutes and dropped a life raft to the stranded individuals, who were able to climb aboard and await further assistance.
A nearby rescue vessel was then directed to the location of the disabled yacht, where the two individuals were safely transferred and brought back to shore. The entire operation was carried out with precision and efficiency, thanks to the coordination and expertise of the AMSA rescue teams.
The rescued individuals were understandably shaken but unharmed, thanks to the swift response of the rescue teams. They expressed their gratitude to the AMSA and all those involved in their rescue, acknowledging that without their help, the situation could have ended much differently.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maritime safety and the vital role that rescue teams play in ensuring the well-being of those at sea. It also highlights the dangers that can arise when sailing in remote or challenging conditions, underscoring the need for proper preparation and communication when embarking on a maritime journey.
The successful rescue of the two individuals from the disabled yacht off the Australian coast is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Australia’s maritime rescue teams, who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all those who venture out to sea. Their bravery and skill in carrying out such operations are truly commendable, and serve as a reminder of the critical role they play in saving lives at sea.
