AMSA responds to distress signal

At 7:00 am AEST Sunday 11 May 2025, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a distress signal from a 17-metre sailing vessel approximately 350 km east of Brisbane in the Coral Sea.

The vessel, a yacht with three people on board, was at risk of sinking having taken on water and experiencing electrical problems. The crew used a satellite emergency notification device to alert AMSA.

AMSA deployed the Essendon and Cairns-based Challenger rescue aircraft, which arrived on scene at 10:00 am (AEST) and 11:30 am (AEST) respectively. These aircraft successfully dropped two life rafts, communications equipment, and a de-watering pump to the vessel.

A nearby cargo vessel, Darya Nitya, responded to AMSA’s request for assistance, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm AEST.

NSW Police vessel Nemesis also arrived at 6:45 pm AEST and successfully rescued all three yacht occupants.

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft provided overhead communication support while the rescue was underway.

AMSA would like to thank the crew of Darya Nitya, NSW Police, Queensland Police and ADF for their invaluable assistance in this rescue.

This incident is a strong reminder of the importance of carrying a suitable distress beacon while offshore—it may save your life.

.