In a remarkable rescue two sailors have been rescued off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, after the keel detached causing a capsize on the new Farr X2 they were sailing. The pair, reported to be highly experienced yachtsmen, were found clinging to the hull of the upturned yacht over 15 hours after it inverted.

The two sailors were sailing Hull #1 of the new Farr X2 about 15 nautical miles off Wollongong when the yacht rolled at around 0100 on 2 July.

The Australian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre initiated a search shortly after 1300 that day, and the Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Brisbane arrived at the 60-square-mile search area about an hour later.

The upturned yacht was spotted by the crew of a passing merchant vessel, MV Arietta Lily, shortly after 1500, and HMAS Brisbane headed to its position.

The two yachtsmen were found clinging to the hull of the upturned yacht, and rescued by the destroyer’s RIB boat in 30-knot winds and 2-metre swells.

Despite spending 15 hours in the water, the two sailors were reported to be in good health, and were reunited with their loved ones at Fleet Base East, Sydney, a couple of hours later.

New Farr X2 design

The Farr X2 is a new compact racing design from renowned designers Farr Yacht Design, promoted as the first small new race boat from Farr since the much-loved Mumm 30 in the 1990s.

The Farr X2 is a production built boat designed specifically for short-handed racing, although, and was conceived by well-known Australian sailor Bret Perry, and built…