Watch: Couple describe relief at rescue after whale destroys their yacht
A couple and two other sailors were rescued after their yacht was sunk by a pod of sperm whales 500 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand. The group spent 17 hours in a life raft before being picked up by a container ship.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of marine wildlife interactions and the critical importance of maritime safety protocols.
Jeremy and Jemma Cooper told the BBC that they were 500 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand when the boat, the Tai Tam, lurched port side and they knew they'd "been hit by something" - only to see a pod of six sperm whales swimming behind the boat.
As their boat took on water and eventually sank, the Coopers and two other sailors aboard the vessel evacuated to a life raft. Seventeen hours later they were rescued by a container ship.
The couple told the BBC that, despite their ordeal, they would be out on the water again soon.
Video produced by Lana Lam, edited by Alex Foster.
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