Govind Tekale
Four sailors were rescued in the South Pacific after their 51-foot sailing yacht struck a sperm whale, began taking on water, and sank, leaving them in a liferaft for approximately 17 hours until a cargo ship reached them. The rescue unfolded roughly 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island.
What happened
The Australian-flagged yacht Tai Tam struck a sperm whale in the early hours of Saturday, September 27. The collision caused damage and the vessel began taking on water. The four-person crew deployed their liferaft and activated their emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), transmitting a distress signal to Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft was tasked to the scene, located the survivors and established two-way radio communications with them while vessels in the area were directed toward their position. The sailors remained in the liferaft until around 6 a.m. on Sunday, when they were picked up by the 143-metre cargo ship Sofrana Surville, the first merchant vessel to reach the scene. All four were reported safe.
How the crew's preparation made the difference
The crew activated their EPIRB promptly, which allowed the Rescue Coordination Centre to begin coordinating the response. For offshore sailors and maritime travelers: this survival outcome came down to having the right gear stowed and accessible before anything went wrong. A pre-packed, buoyant grab-bag with an active EPIRB and a means of two-way communication gives rescue services the data they need to find you in open ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do whales sink boats?
Collisions between whales and sailing vessels occur along major ocean routes, though documented sinkings remain rare. All four crew members of Tai Tam were rescued safely after deploying a liferaft and activating a distress beacon approximately 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island.
Where did the yacht sink after hitting the whale?
Approximately 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, on Saturday September 27, 2026.
How was the crew rescued in the South Pacific?
The crew activated their EPIRB distress beacon after abandoning ship. Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre coordinated the response. An RNZAF P-8A Poseidon located the crew and directed ships to their position. The cargo ship Sofrana Surville picked up all four sailors around 6 a.m. Sunday. All four were reported safe.
