Dramatic footage shows yacht sinking and rescue of crew after whale strike in Pacific Ocean
Four people were rescued in the Pacific Ocean after their yacht, the Tai Tam, sank following a collision with a whale. The crew spent seven hours in a life raft before being picked up by a container ship in a coordinated international rescue effort.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the dangers of maritime travel and the effectiveness of international emergency response protocols for vessels in distress.
New footage shows the dramatic rescue of four people from the open ocean after their vessel was struck by a whale.
The sailors were brought to safety from the Pacific Ocean in a joint operation led by Maritime New Zealand over the weekend.
Video from the incident shows the Australian-flagged yacht’s bow sinking as waves crash over the deck.
The vessel descends further under the surface with the mast half submerged, causing the stern to stick in the air.
The yacht then quickly goes entirely underwater, with only a minuscule part of the rear seen above the sea.
Another clip shows the small rescue craft thrashing against a large ship as crew members attempt to grab hold of rope ladders to get on board.
One person is seen going from their tiptoes to sitting as the current moves the small boat up and down.
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