Australian Navy saves superyacht crew

The Australian Navy has rescued six superyacht crew members from international waters. The crew on board Vivierae II became stranded at sea having experienced engine troubles between Darwin, Australia and Kolepon, Indonesia. 

The sailors of Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Hobart deployed a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) in “unfavourable conditions” to reach the immobile 30m (98ft) vessel. 

Hobart’s navigator, Lieutenant Dean Gilbert, oversaw the rescue. “RHIB operations require focus and careful consideration of the weather conditions and sea state,” he said. 

“There are a lot of moving parts including providing an effective lee to enable the launch and recovery of the RHIB, to achieve a safe breakaway and recovery under challenging conditions.” 

Petty officer and coxswain (RHIB helmsman), Christopher Keillor said he was excited to be part of the rescue. “It’s a great feeling to be the operator in a situation like this and achieving the mission of getting people to safety,” he said. 

“The training we receive to become qualified as RHIB coxswains prepares us well for operating in real situations.”  

None one was injured during the operation and all crew members returned to shore unscathed. 

“The team pulled together excellently for this rescue and it was great to see us achieve it safely,” said Gilbert.