AI Image
Whale sinks yacht in South Pacific, sailors rescued alive 18 hours later
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- A sperm whale struck the hull of the 52-foot yacht Tai Tam in the South Pacific, causing severe damage and forcing four sailors into a survival struggle 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island.
- The collision cracked the fiberglass hull, broke the steering gear, and caused significant water ingress, prompting the crew to declare a mayday and begin bailing water manually.
- After battling the flooding and damage throughout the night, the sailors abandoned the yacht and were rescued about 18 hours later by the container ship MV Sofrana Surville.
- The Royal New Zealand Air Force coordinated the rescue efforts, with officials praising the crew’s preparedness and quick activation of their emergency beacon as crucial to their survival.
- Sperm whales, measuring 50 to 60 feet, are a vulnerable species facing threats from ship strikes, noise pollution, and environmental hazards, highlighting the risks of marine wildlife encounters.
