South Africans sailing to NZ rescued off stricken yacht 1300km southwest of Cape Leeuwin

The three-man crew of the dismasted 13-metre Jedi 1 were winched to safety by a Seahawk helicopter from the HMAS Parramatta about 9pm on Saturday. Photo / Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Three South African men have been rescued from their stricken yacht in the Indian Ocean off Australia's most southwesterly point.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says the men were sailing their 13-metre vessel, Jedi 1, from South Africa to New Zealand, when they sent a distress signal about 7pm (AEDT) on Thursday.

The dismasted yacht was located 1300km southwest of Cape Leeuwin before the HMAS Parramatta arrived on Saturday night.

A Perth-based Challenger search and rescue jet flew to the dismasted 13-metre vessel, Jedi 1, locating it 1300km southwest of Cape Leeuwin, and established a radio connection around midnight, the Safety Authority said.

The three male crew members of the Jedi 1 confirmed their yacht had been dismasted and
their intention to abandon the stricken vessel.

Given the yacht's remote location, AMSA engaged the Royal Australian Navy for assistance in rescuing the crew and HMAS Parramatta was deployed shortly after 2am on Friday, 18
March.

It took HMAS Parramatta more than 40 hours to reach the men.

AMSA said the sailors were winched to safety in good health by a Seahawk helicopter after the HMAS Parramatta arrived about 9pm on Saturday.

The rescue was the second major yacht rescue coordinated by AMSA in as many
weeks, following the rescue of two internationals aboard the sailing vessel Val on 8 March in high seas about 400km north-east of Sydney.

The dismasted yacht was located 1300km southwest of Cape Leeuwin. Photo / File

The remote 43 45.60 S 104 55.13 E location of the Jedi 1. Map / Australian Maritime Safety Authority