Cruise ship rescues stranded boaters off New Caledonia

A cruise ship operated by P&O Cruises Australia successfully rescued three stranded sailors after a mayday call off New Caledonia on Saturday, May 4.

Approximately 3,000 guests were onboard Pacific Encounter when its crew received the call to help. The ship then immediately diverted its voyage to assist in the rescue.

The two men and a woman were sailing from Queensland to Noumea when their yacht suffered a broken mast and loss of power.

The trio, from New Caledonia, had been stranded at sea for three days before being rescued by the P&O crew. All three were in good health when they were brought onto the ship and assessed by the onboard medical team.

Pacific Encounter then resumed its journey to Noumea.