# Tai Tam yacht whale collision and rescue

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tai-tam-yacht-whale-collision-and-rescue
> Updated: 2026-10-02T06:37:41.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

The crew of the Australian-flagged yacht ‘Tai Tam’ was rescued in the South Pacific after the vessel collided with a pod of sperm whales. The incident occurred approximately 250 to 400 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island while the yacht was traveling from Fiji to Australia.

The collision, involving a group of six to eight whales, caused significant damage to the 16-meter vessel, including cracks in the fiberglass hull and a damaged steering system. As the boat began taking on water, crew members attempted to seal leaks with expansion foam before eventually abandoning the sinking vessel for a life raft and dinghy.

Following the activation of an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and a Mayday call, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft located the survivors. After approximately 17 to 18 hours in the life raft, the four crew members were rescued by the cargo ship Sofrana Surville. All sailors were reported unharmed.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: Tai Tam yacht crew rescued after sperm whale collision

A four-person crew was rescued by a cargo ship after their yacht, the Tai Tam, was struck by sperm whales and sank in the Pacific Ocean near Norfolk Island.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tai-tam-yacht-crew-rescued-after-sperm-whale-collision

### 2026-09-29: Four sailors rescued after yacht strikes whale in South Pacific

Four sailors were rescued in the South Pacific after their yacht, the Tai Tam, collided with a whale and sank. The crew survived 17 hours in a life raft before being picked up by a cargo ship.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/four-sailors-rescued-after-yacht-strikes-whale-in-south-pacific

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Cite as: Tai Tam yacht whale collision and rescue. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tai-tam-yacht-whale-collision-and-rescue