Irishman among pair rescued after yacht capsizes off Australian coast

Irishman Nick Dwyer and a French woman have been rescued after a yacht capsized off the Australian coast.

It happened in the Tasman Sea, as they were sailing to Sydney as part of a years-long circumnavigation of the globe.

Irish yachtsman rescued off Australian coast. Video courtesy of Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Read more: https://t.co/0oHdVA2TER pic.twitter.com/elAGbiGTAt

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 9, 2017

Treacherous seas broke their rudder, then rolled their 12-metre boat, forcing them to activate an emergency beacon on Tuesday.

Mr Dwyer described the perilous conditions they faced.

Irishman Nick Dwyer says he is extremely grateful after being rescued from his capsized yacht off the coast of Australia pic.twitter.com/l1YkSGejsC

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 9, 2017

"Waves the size of buildings coming at you constantly, winds that you can't stand up in, and seas breaking, whiteness everywhere - a beautiful glory of terror facing you," he said.

The subtropical jet carries the remains of #CycloneBlanche into the Pacific, while a Tasman Sea low lingers to its south. pic.twitter.com/xHkXX4Evp1

— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) March 7, 2017