Emergency response for yacht distress signal off Nowra, NSW

A significant emergency operation is currently in progress off the NSW south coast after two sailors aboard a 19-metre yacht sent a distress signal. The yacht, located approximately 150km from Nowra, made contact at 12.40pm on Monday, alerting the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to their dire situation. The sailors reported that the vessel was taking on water due to a mechanical failure, although there have been no injuries reported. In response to the distress call, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre informed the Marine Area Command and the Australian Defence Force. Helicopter teams from AMSA and NSW Ambulance were dispatched to assist but faced challenges due to fuel limitations, preventing immediate retrieval of the sailors. Initial contact was made, but the helicopters had to return to base for refueling. A RAAF C130 aircraft later arrived on the scene and established communication with the yacht at 4.30pm. Additionally, Royal Australian Navy ships, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Canberra, were deployed to the area, with HMAS Arunta expected to reach the yacht around 6pm. Meanwhile, NSW Police are coordinating efforts and anticipate rendezvousing with the vessel around midnight. The situation is complicated by severe weather conditions, including strong winds and gusts reaching up to 100km/h, which have caused power outages and disrupted communications across Tasmania and Victoria. The area where the yacht is located is under wind warnings, making the rescue operation particularly hazardous.