A crew of four found themselves stranded in a remote section of the Pacific Ocean after their yacht, the 52-foot Tai Tam, was sunk by a pod of sperm whales. The incident occurred when the whales collided with the vessel, causing significant damage that resulted in a large hole and water flooding the boat. Dramatic footage captured the yacht slowly sinking as the crew fought to keep it afloat while awaiting rescue.
The crew, who had set sail from New Zealand, was located approximately 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island. During the encounter, one crew member, Jemma Cooper, reported a sudden jolt that pushed the boat sideways, revealing the presence of the whales. Her husband, Jeremy, quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation as the collision compromised the boat’s steering and allowed water to pour in.
As the situation worsened, the crew declared a “full mayday” and worked to remove water from the boat. Despite their efforts, they ultimately had to abandon ship, cutting ties with the sinking yacht and transferring to a life raft. After an intense 18-hour ordeal, they were rescued by the MV Sofrana Surville, a nearby container ship. Fortunately, all crew members were unharmed and expressed relief at their safe return.
