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Couple Rescued After Whale Sinks Yacht
30 Sep
Summary
- Couple rescued after sperm whale struck their yacht.
- The yacht sank 500 nautical miles off New Zealand.
- Sailors were adrift for 17 hours before rescue.
A sperm whale's collision with a yacht resulted in its sinking and the rescue of four individuals, including a sailor couple, 500 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand. Jeremy and Gemma Cooper reported that their vessel, the Tai Tam, lurched violently after being struck by the whale. The impact caused the yacht to take on water rapidly and eventually sink.
Following the sinking, the Coopers and two other crew members evacuated into a life raft. They remained adrift for approximately 17 hours before being located and rescued by a passing container ship. Despite the harrowing experience of their vessel sinking after a whale collision, the couple indicated their intent to sail again in the near future.
