Two people have been rescued after a harrowing ordeal at sea when their yacht, the Spirit of Mateship, encountered trouble nearly 200 miles off Australia's eastern coast. The 20-meter yacht lost power and communications, battling winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour and waves reaching six meters in height.
The distress call was received around 1pm on Monday, prompting a rescue operation that faced challenges due to rough seas. The crew, a 60-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, spent a treacherous night at sea as they drifted helplessly.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the severe conditions, but two Australian Navy ships and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft joined the mission. The sailors were finally rescued in the early hours of the morning after conditions improved.
The NSW Police vessel Nemesis successfully retrieved the sailors from the yacht in choppy seas. The crew, known for their participation in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, are expected to return to Sydney after a 12-hour voyage.
The successful outcome of this rescue operation highlights the importance of distress beacons in alerting authorities to emergencies at sea. The crew's quick action in deploying the beacon played a crucial role in their rescue.
The Spirit of Mateship, previously crewed by wounded veterans and army personnel for charity causes, has changed ownership since its racing days. The rescued sailors, although tired and relieved, are safe and will soon be reunited with their loved ones in Sydney.
