Three sailors are full of praise for Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and a commercial whale watching vessel this morning after being rescued off Merimbula.
The trio sent out a MAYDAY call around lunchtime yesterday from the 13 metre yacht they were sailing on about 7k’s off the coastline.
They reported taking on water and being at risk of sinking.
The whale watching boat arrived on scene first before Marine Rescue pumped water out of the hull then towed it back to shore.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said the distressed vessel issued a MAYDAY at 11:30 am, which was received by radio operators at Marine Rescue Bermagui, who immediately notified the Merimbula unit.
“Conditions were atrocious; it was choppy, with strong wind gusts and a large swell.
NSW Police Marine Area Command tasked rescue vessel Merimbula 31 to respond.
“While the rescue vessel was making its way to the distressed yacht, a nearby whale-watching boat responded and assisted the sailors.
“The volunteer crew on board Merimbula 31 arrived on scene and checked the welfare of the three sailors before providing a pump and pumping water out of the hull.
“A leak has been identified in the bow of the yacht.
“The response was an excellent example of collaboration between two Marine Rescue NSW units and a commercial operator, whose quick actions ensured the safety of the sailors,” Inspector Sullivan said.
