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Gang of eight sperm whales sink yacht after ramming boat in South Pacific
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- A pod of sperm whales struck and cracked the hull of a 52ft yacht 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
- The collision caused significant damage, including smashed steering gear and water flooding the boat, making it impossible to steer.
- The crew activated an emergency beacon about 30 minutes after the impact and spent hours bailing water before abandoning the yacht and boarding a life raft.
- A container ship rescued the crew approximately 18 hours later, with coordination support from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
- Authorities praised the crew’s preparedness and quick response, emphasizing the importance of safety measures when at sea.
