A dramatic air and sea rescue was played out more than 200 kilometres off the New South Wales mid north coast today.
Early this morning, the 10-metre Queensland yacht, Ainmara, sent out a mayday call while sailing to Lord Howe Island.
Its sails were torn, its steering and engine were out, and its crew of three was suffering exhaustion and sea sickness.
The Marine Rescue Authority in Canberra picked up the call and dispatched a spotter plane, and a rescue helicopter from the Williamtown RAAF base.
The yacht was found wallowing in four-metre seas and galeforce winds.
The yacht was abandoned, its crew just happy to be back on dry land.
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