Media Release
31 July 2008
Bundaberg couple rescued from yacht
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) coordinated the successful rescue of a man and a woman from their 12 metre yacht Illusion this morning. The rescue took place about 390 nautical miles due east of Bundaberg after the man sustained serious injuries to his lower leg during an on board accident yesterday. The couple, a husband and wife from Bundaberg, were sailing from Bundaberg to Noumea when the accident happened.
AMSA's Rescue Coordination Centre – Australia detected a distress signal from a registered EPIRB on the 406 MHz frequency shortly after 9 am yesterday (29 July 2008). The signal from the 406 EPIRB enabled the Rescue Coordination Centre to quickly identify the location and identity of the vessel. A search and rescue Dornier aircraft based in Cairns was dispatched to the location.
The crew of the Dornier established communications with the couple on the yacht and maintained a visual watch while staff at the Rescue Coordination Centre diverted two merchant vessels, a bulk carrier and a vehicle carrier, to attend the yacht and facilitate the rescue. The vessels arrived at the location during the night but due to sea conditions and in the interests of safety, waited until this morning before attempting to come alongside the yacht. The couple were taken aboard the Bulk Carrier Dayahai about 11:00 am.
A Military P3 Orion and a Customs Coastwatch aircraft assisted the Dornier in maintaining an overhead watch of the vessel during the night and stayed above while the couple were safely taken aboard the rescue ship. The Dayahai will now divert to Noumea where the couple will disembark and make arrangements to return to Australia.
Media Inquiries: Mick Spinks, 0417 615 769