The 41-meter luxury yacht Seafaris, completely engulfed in flames off the coast of Cairns, Australia, October 2, 2013. Photo courtesy AMSA
A passing containership came to the rescue of 16 people Thursday who were forced to abandon a burning luxury yacht off the coast of Cairns, Australia.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Rescue Coordination Centre Australia (AMSA RCC Australia) says it coordinated the rescue of the 16 people from the 41-meter yacht about 50 nautical miles north of Cairns on Thursday.
The yacht, Seafaris, caught on fire and issued a mayday call received by the Cairns Vessel Traffic Service about 5.55am (AEST), AMSA said in a statement. A photo released by AMSA shows Seafaris fully engulfed in flames.
A container ship en route to Cairns heard the mayday and arrived on the scene, transferring all 16 survivors from liferafts on board by 7.38am.
RCC Australia tasked AMSA’s Cairns based Dornier search and rescue plane, along with a rescue helicopter to assist in the search and rescue operation.
A broadcast to shipping in the area was issued, AMSA said.
AMSA’s emergency towage vessel Pacific Responder is en route to the scene, where it will work with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Agency to assess the situation and respond to any marine pollution issues.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,935 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
MEXICO CITY, April 7 (Reuters) – At least one contractor was killed after a fire struck an offshore platform operated by Mexico’s national oil company Pemex, the firm said in a statement on Sunday,...
By Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov Jan 21 (Reuters) – Russian energy company Novatek NVTK.MM said on Sunday it had been forced to suspend some operations at a huge Baltic Sea fuel export terminal due...
gCaptain Editors Note – Sevmorput is one of only four nuclear merchant ships ever built. The other three – built by the US, Japan and Germany – are no longer...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,935 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
