A rescue operation has been launched for two sailors stranded nearly 200km off the NSW South Coast on a yacht that once competed in the Sydney to Hobart race.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (ASMA) received an emergency alert from the Spirit of Mateship at 12:40pm today, which police say sustained a mechanical issue and is taking on water.
Its beacon placed it 185km east of the town of Nowra, in the NSW Shoalhaven region.
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Three helicopters arrived on the scene but weren’t able to retrieve the sailors.
The Air Force has tasked a military transport plane and the Navy two ships to the rescue effort.
“Two helicopters tasked by AMSA, one from Nowra, another from Wollongong, along with third from Sydney, tasked by NSW Ambulance, arrived on scene and were able make contact with the two crew on board the yacht but were not able to retrieve them due to fuel considerations,” the ASMA said in a statement at 4pm.
“A RAAF C130 aircraft has departed Richmond and is expected to arrive at about 4.30pm.
“His Majesty’s Australian Navy ships Arunta and Canberra are also en route to the scene. Arunta is expected to arrive on the scene about 6pm AEST this evening.”
NSW Police expect officers to reach the yacht at around midnight.
“The vessel is believed to have sustained a mechanical issue and is taking on water,” a police spokesperson said.
“There are no reports of any injuries.”
More to come.
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