Four sailors from an Australian‑registered yacht were rescued Sunday after their vessel was struck by a sperm whale in the South Pacific. The incident occurred about 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island, a remote Australian territory, when the 51‑foot yacht Tai Tam began taking on water.

Emergency response coordinated by New Zealand

According to a release from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the crew activated an emergency beacon and abandoned the yacht, climbing into a life raft. New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre dispatched a P‑8A Poseidon patrol aircraft to locate the survivors and establish radio contact. The aircraft then directed nearby vessels to the scene.

Cargo ship and private vessel provide aid

The cargo ship Sofrana Surville arrived at the raft around 6 a.m. Sunday, taking the four crew members aboard. A private sailing vessel also assisted, officials said. The rescued crew included two Australians, a New Zealander and a French national.

“It was a massive relief, stepping on board the container ship,” New Zealand sailor Terry Hetherington told 1News.

What caused the collision?

Sailors on board reported seeing a pod of four or five sperm whales nearby before the impact. The yacht’s owners also believe sperm whales were involved. Skipper Jeremy Cooper told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the crew attempted to limit damage, but quickly realized the yacht could not be saved.

Rescue praised for preparation

New Zealand Defence Force officials credited the crew’s preparation and rapid activation of their emergency beacon for the successful rescue. The operation involved agencies from New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia, as well as the responding vessels.

While the incident underscores the hazards of sailing in waters frequented by large marine mammals, the coordinated response demonstrates the effectiveness of regional maritime rescue networks.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.