http://avherald.com/h?article=45785315

Incident: Air Canada B772 and ANZ A320 over Pacific on Oct 16th 2012, aircraft assist locating yacht in distress

An Air Canada Boeing 777-200, registration C-FIUJ performing flight AC-33 (dep Oct 14th) from Vancouver,BC (Canada) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute over the Pacific Ocean about 300nm northeast of Sydney.

An ANZ Air New Zealand Airbus A320-200, registration ZK-OJE performing flight NZ-703 from Auckland (New Zealand) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute over the Pacific Ocean about 600nm eastsoutheast of Sydney.

At that time Australia's emergency services received an emergency call from a yacht, the mast of which had separated and which was drifting away from Australia with fuel and other supplies depleting.

The Boeing 777-200 was determined to be closest to the yacht in distress presumed at about 270nm east of Sydney, the crew changed course by about 50 degrees to overfly the location of the yacht descending to about 6000 feet in the process with both crew and passengers looking out of the windows while the aircraft flew zig-zags to find the ship. After establishing visual contact with the yacht the crew provided accurate coordinates to rescue vessels on their way to the yacht. The Airbus A320-200 also changed course to overfly the estimated position of the yacht and check the status.

The Boeing 777-200 reached Sydney for a safe landing with a delay of 70 minutes following punctual departure, the Airbus A320-200 landed safely in Sydney almost on estimated time of arrival.

Australia's Maritime Safety Agency said it was quite unusual to enlist the assistance of commercial airliners, the location however was so remote that only airliners in the area could have provided necessary details. The yacht had departed Australia's coast north of Sydney two weeks ago on its way to southern Australia, but had been drifting away from Australia for about a week following the loss of the mast. A merchant ship, closest to the confirmed position of the yacht, changed course to assist the yacht until rescue ships arrive. The sailor is in good spirit. After arrival of rescue personnel it will be decided whether the yacht needs to be abandoned.