Marine safety authorities have launched a rescue mission for two Australian men who have been stranded on a yacht in the Tasman Sea for almost 36 hours after severe weather caused the vessel to take on a large amount of water.
The pair, aged in their 70s, were travelling from New Zealand to Australia when they were hit by severe weather including 10m seas and high winds, near Lord Howe Island.
A family member alerted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority about 3am on Monday saying the yacht had sustained damage to its steering and was taking on water.
The men set off an emergency beacon about 5am, Amsa said in a statement.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has been coordinating the rescue of two New Zealand crew members from a 14.2m sailing vessel currently 164nm (305km) East of Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea,” the statement read.
“Amsa’s has responded its Melbourne-based challenger rescue aircraft along with multiple Royal Australian Air Force aircraft which have been overhead since yesterday.
“Amsa has been in contact throughout with the crew and their family and all are in good spirits.”
The NSW police vessel Nemesis and two merchant vessels were en route but were not expected to reach them until 11pm on Tuesday evening, Amsa said.
