Three rescued in Coral Sea, 835km off Cairns, after shark attacks leave boat sinking
Three people have been rescued from a boat off the coast of Cairns after their boat was smashed by “several shark attacks”, according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
The disabled and sinking 9metre inflatible catamaran is seen during the rescue by Australian maritime officials about 800km off Cairns. (Image: supplied AMSA)
AMSA said it co-ordinated the rescue of the three people who were on board a catamaran about 835km southeast of Cairns in the Coral Sea.
AMSA said it responded to a Russian-registered emergency positioning beacon at 1.30am. That beacon was registered to a 9-metre inflatable catamaran, called Tion which had left Vanuatu and was on its way to Cairns.
“Both hulls of the vessel have been damaged following several shark attacks,” AMSA said.
The rescue was carried out by a Panama-flagged cargo ship Dugong Ace. A rescue aircraft from Cairns was also called in.
The stricken 9m catamaran (right) is rescued by Panamanian vehicle carrier in the Coral Sea.
Two Russians and one French citizen were rescued and were due to arrive in Brisbane on Thursday morning.
