Yacht crew rescued 1,300 km from shore
An Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter played a vital role in the rescue of three South African sailors approximately 1,300 km (800 miles) southwest of Cape Leeuwin, Australia.
An Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter played a vital role in the rescue of three South African sailors approximately 1,300 km (800 miles) southwest of Cape Leeuwin, Australia. The Seahawk was dispatched from HMAS Parramatta, an Australian Navy frigate.
The three sailors activated a distress beacon from their 13-m (43-ft) yacht on 17 March after becoming lost in rough seas on a journey from South Africa to New Zealand. After the beacon was activated, the rescue was co-ordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The warship was then asked to locate and rescue the yacht crew.
Late in the afternoon of 18 March, the Seahawk crew found the yacht and established communications. After assessing that conditions were stable enough for an air rescue, the sailors were winched up to the Seahawk and then transferred to the Parramatta.
“This was a very professionally executed operation, in extremely trying conditions,” said commanding officer Commander Simon Howard. “The Royal Australian Navy is well equipped and our personnel highly trained to provide specialist assistance to search and rescue activities in our region.”
The Australian Navy said that the sailors were assessed to have a clean bill of health once back onboard the Parramatta.