Whale Sinks Yacht in the Pacific Ocean

In the southern Pacific Ocean, a sperm whale damaged the yacht “Tai Tam,” causing it to sink and forcing four crew members to move onto a life raft.

They were rescued 18 hours later by the container ship MV Sofrana Surville.

The 15.8-meter yacht was sailing about 463 kilometers north of Norfolk Island when it was struck by a powerful impact.

According to Australian Jemma Cooper, who was at the helm at the time, the impact was so strong that it suddenly pushed the vessel to one side and threw her sideways.

Shortly afterward, the crew spotted between six and eight sperm whales on the yacht’s port side.