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A rescue operation has been launched for two sailors stranded nearly 200 kilometres off the NSW South Coast on a yacht that once competed in the Sydney to Hobart race.
Tricky conditions with powerful winds and big seas scuppered any potential plans to pull off a rescue tonight, leaving the stranded sailors to wait until morning.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority received an emergency alert from the Spirit of Mateship, which police said sustained a mechanical issue and was taking on water, at 12.40pm today.
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Its beacon placed it 185 kilometres east of the town of Nowra, in the Shoalhaven region of NSW.
Three helicopters arrived on the scene but weren't able to retrieve the sailors.
The Air Force sent a military transport plane and the Navy sent two ships to aid the rescue effort.
"Two helicopters tasked by AMSA, one from Nowra, another from Wollongong, along with third from Sydney, tasked by NSW Ambulance, arrived on scene and were able make contact with the two crew on board the yacht but were not able to retrieve them due to fuel considerations," AMSA said in a statement at 4pm.
"A RAAF C130 aircraft has departed Richmond and is expected to arrive at about 4.30pm.
"His Majesty's Australian Navy ships Arunta and Canberra are also en route to the scene. Arunta is expected to arrive on the scene about 6pm AEST this evening."
NSW Police expected officers to reach the yacht about midnight but that was later extended to 2am.
"The vessel is believed to have sustained a mechanical issue and is taking on water," a police spokesperson said.
"There are no reports of any injuries."
About 8pm, AMSA said seas were four to five metres with winds of 70-90km/h.
"Due to weather conditions, it is unlikely a rescue will be attempted tonight," AMSA said.
"A rescue is likely to be attempted at first light tomorrow morning conditions permitting."
