Three yachtsmen, who were rescued more than 220 nautical miles east of Port Macquarie earlier this week, will return home this morning (November 14).
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Just after 10pm on Monday, November 9, a mayday distress call was received from Solar Coaster, an 11.5m yacht, which had been de-masted about 100 nautical miles west of Lord Howe Island.
On board are three men in the 60s.
A crew on another Port Macquarie yacht, the Cool Change, left Lord Howe Island and met with the yacht to provide assistance, but it too was accidentally hit by the stricken vessel.
About 10.30am on Tuesday, November 10, assistance from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA was provided with the Challenger SAR launched to dropp fuel, a satellite phone, and other supplies to the crew.
The Cool Change returned to the harbour in Port Macquarie on Wednesday.
Authorities were informed the mast of the Solar Coaster had hit the hull of the vessel, but no damage had been sustained, nor were there any injuries to the three men on board.
The NSW Police Force's Marine Area Command and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are conducting the joint search and rescue (SAR) operation.
After establishing contact with the crew, Marine Area Command launched a police vessel from Nelson Bay, which met up with the Solar Coaster some 200 nautical miles from the NSW coast on Thursday, November 12.
Following a safety assessment, the police vessel commenced towing the yacht, which is due to arrive at Port Stephens Water Police on Saturday morning.
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