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SYDNEY - The search for an Australian missing in the Southern Ocean will resume this morning, after South African rescuers successfully plucked his injured shipmates from the stricken yacht Cowrie Dancer.
South African Maritime Search and Rescue duty officer Jacques Smit said the two injured crew - West Australians Nicholas Lawson and skipper Dale Peterson - were hospitalised aboard the research vessel SA Agulhas.
"I can confirm that all of the three crew have been safely transferred to the research vessel SA Agulhas and the yacht has been abandoned," said Mr Smit, after the rescue was confirmed at 1725 GMT (0525 NZT).
Mr Smit said he believed Mr Peterson had suffered a broken pelvis and Mr Lawson had a head injury, but he had no report of the severity of their condition.
A third crew member of the disabled Cowrie Dancer, South African mechanical engineer Carol Erasmus, was reported uninjured.
"There is a doctor and a fully fitted hospital on board. They are now receiving emergency medical attention, " Mr Smit said.
"Depending on their condition, they will be taken to South Africa as soon as possible for treatment if necessary."
The Arctic research vessel SA Agulhas intended to pick up the search for missing Australian John Blackman, of Perth, at first light today, Mr Smit said last night.
"They will return tomorrow morning to the position where the third Australian went missing and continue the search."
Mr Blackman, 55, was washed overboard by a massive wave that smashed into the Cowrie Dancer in wild weather 750 nautical miles south-east of Durban on Monday.
Mr Smit said he believed no decision had been taken on whether the yacht could be salvaged.
"I think that is between the owner and the insurance company," he said.
- AAP
