Auriga Pilot Captain Richard Jamieson was onboard a container vessel, “Northern Diamond,” travelling via the “Inner Route” from Hong Kong to Melbourne.

During this passage, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Canberra tasked the Northern Diamond with assisting with the rescue of two people on board a yacht, “S/V Andromeda,” which hit the reef and was sinking at Eves Reef (65nm NW from Lizard Island, 100nm NNW from Cooktown, and 6nm outside DSA north of Pipon Islets). Northern Diamond was the only vessel in the area to respond.

A RAAF C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, “Aussie 413“, was diverted from its normal operation to check the EPIRB transmission from the sinking vessel.

Auriga’s Pilot, Captain Richard, safely navigated the vessel as close as possible to Eves Reef and managed the communication. With aerial support from Aussie 413 and a Border Force Dash 8, two people were sighted in their lifejackets with the sinking vessel.

Northern Diamond launched one of its lifeboats with five crew members. The lifeboat was guided as close to the sinking vessel as possible by Northern Diamond. When it was safe, the crew transferred the people from their sinking vessel to a dingy, who had rowed to the lifeboat.

Shortly after, the lifeboat was brought back onto the ship. Luckily, there were no injuries except for sunburn and mild dehydration.

Northern Diamond resumed her transit southbound to Yorkeys Knob, where the two rescued sailors disembarked safely with Auriga’s Captain Richard Jamieson to head home.

Well done to the Master and crew of Northern Diamond, especially the third officer and four crew members who were in the lifeboat, and to our Pilot, Captain Richard Jamieson.