Dramatic rescue from 40ft yacht in treacherous seas
Two sailors rescued 210nm from Sydney in six-metre swells and gale-force southerly windsWe salute the seven NSW Police officers who put to sea on the Police vessel Nemesis at 7pm last night (Tuesday March 7, 2017) and travelled for more than 12 hours, running all through the night in treacherous seas, to reach and rescue two sailors on a foundering 40ft yacht.
The police officers had to battle six-metre swells and gale-force southerly winds in the dark of night to reach the stricken sailors at 8.30am this morning (Wednesday March 8, 2017).
In a joint operation between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and NSW Police, the two people have now been rescued from the 40ft yacht in distress about 210nm east north east of Sydney.
AMSA had been in regular contact with the yacht since March 4 after they informed the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) of a broken rudder.
The two crew, an Irish and French national, were on board the 40-foot yacht that was travelling from New Zealand to Australia.
About 3pm yesterday (Tuesday March 7, 2017), the yacht, affected by high winds and heavy swell, activated its EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon).
Rescue 660, one of AMSA’s dedicated search and rescue Challenger 604 jets, was tasked to drop additional communications equipment to the yacht.
The equipment was dropped successfully by Rescue 660, however, the equipment was unable to be recovered by the yacht due to the treacherous conditions.
Rescue 660 remained on scene to relay communications from the yacht to AMSA, which then issued a broadcast to shipping in the area requesting assistance, which was answered by the container ship ANL Elanora.
AMSA also requested NSW Police assistance and the seven officers from the Marine Area Command responded by launching the NSW Police Nemesis and putting to sea.
The Nemesis is a 32m offshore patrol vessel powered by 1825hp CAT 12V C32 ACERT engines with a 1400nm range and capable of 27 knots. But not in these conditions.
After battling six-metre swells and gale-force southerly winds, the Nemesis reached the yacht at 8.30am this morning (Wednesday March 8, 2017).
Both the man and the woman were successfully transferred to the Nemesis with the assistance of the ANL Elanora and are reported to be uninjured.
The Nemesis was returning to Sydney and was expected to arrive at 8.30pm (Wednesday March 8, 2017) after the heroic rescue. Bravo!
More at www.amsa.gov.au.
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