Police in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, with the assistance of the cruise ship Coral Discoverer, this morning rescued two people from a yacht grounded on the rocks at the base of cliffs at Cape Raoul.

Around 4:30am this morning police were advised that several mayday calls had been received via VHF marine radio from a vessel in distress. Around the same time the AMSA Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra advised that they had detected an EPIRB activation on the western side of Cape Raoul.

It was established that the EPIRB was from a 40-foot sailing vessel Claire de Lune which had two people on board.

The cruise ship Coral Discoverer which was at anchor in Port Arthur immediately responded to the area and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched.

The Coral Discoverer made VHF radio contact with two people who had made their way to shore from the Claire de Lune which was grounded on the rocks at the base of the cliffs.

The Coral Discoverer moved to more sheltered water on the eastern side of Cape Raoul and launched tender vessels to provide assistance with a rescue by water if required.

Around 7am the Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched a 51-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man off the rocks just south of Shipsterns Bluff. Both people are from Noumea and were un-injured.

The Claire de Lune remains on the rocks and a decision in relation to its possible salvage is being made.

“The incident highlights the benefit of carrying a registered EPIRB, having a working marine VHF radio and carrying all mandatory safety equipment when conducting boating activities,” said Sergeant John Pratt.