Source: Maritime New Zealand
Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) has coordinated the rescue of four sailors on an Australian flagged vessel that was abandoned after hitting a whale 250 nautical miles North of Norfolk Island.
“At approximately 1pm Saturday New Zealand time RCCNZ received an alert from an EPIRB from the 51ft Australian yacht Tai Tam. It was taking on water and began sinking after reporting it had struck a whale,” Rescue Coordination Centre Operations Manager Mike Clulow said.
“The yacht was experiencing seas of up to 2m, and a Royal New Zealand Airforce P-8A Poseidon was tasked with assisting. Several vessels were in the area and diverted to assist.
“The four sailors on the vessel had to abandon ship and spent several hours in a life raft before being rescued around 6am this morning by the crew of the MV SOFRANA SURVILLE, a 143m cargo vessel who was first on the scene.
“This was a well-coordinated and executed rescue, and I’d like to thank our partners at the New Zealand Defence Force for their assistance, along with the assistance of JRCC Australia and MRCC Noumea who provided support. Our thanks also extend to crew of the MV SOFRANA SURVILLE and a private sailing vessel who effected the rescue.
“The crew of the yacht did all the right things, and it was unfortunate to have struck a whale in open water. They were well prepared and the early activation of their EPIRB was key to helping get them to safety. It is an excellent reminder that being prepared when going to sea can save your life,” Mike Clulow said.
The crew are now safe onboard the MV SOFRANA SURVILLE and are being taken to the nearest port to disembark.