Two Rescued from Disabled Yacht off Australian Coast

On Tuesday morning, two individuals were safely rescued after spending a harrowing night aboard a disabled yacht stranded in turbulent waters off the coast of Australia.

Authorities reported that a 60-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were taken aboard a police vessel at approximately 7:30 a.m. The couple had been aboard their 19-meter (62-foot) yacht, named “Spirit of Mateship,” located about 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of New South Wales.

Prior to their rescue, the pair had activated an emergency beacon around 1 p.m. on Monday. At that time, they were approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) from the coastal town of Nowra.

The situation aboard the yacht had deteriorated with a mechanical failure that led to a loss of the rudder, leaving the vessel taking on water and drifting further from shore. Police Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill emphasized the perilous conditions, which included ocean swells reaching 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) and wind gusts of up to 110 kilometers (70 miles) per hour, making nighttime rescue attempts unfeasible.

Efforts to locate the stranded yacht were immediate. An Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane was dispatched and successfully established radio contact with the individuals onboard. Following this, both a police boat and an Australian navy warship arrived at the scene early Tuesday morning.

While a winching rescue by a military helicopter was a potential option, it was ultimately deemed too hazardous due to the severe sea conditions. Instead, a small craft launched from the police boat was used to carry out the rescue.

Once safely aboard the police vessel, the couple were expected to travel back to Sydney on Tuesday night. Fortunately, both the man and woman emerged from this frightening experience unharmed.

Rescue operations like these highlight the challenges and dangers faced at sea, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The swift action by both civilian and military personnel played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the two individuals stranded aboard the yacht.