In brief
Sailors Jeremy and Gemma Cooper were sailing off New Zealand when a massive sperm whale slammed into their yacht, the Tai Tam, causing it to take on water and eventually sink. The couple, together with two other crew members, abandoned ship into a life raft that drifted for 17 hours before a passing container ship rescued them. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the Coopers expressed relief and optimism, saying they plan to return to the sea soon. The incident highlights the unexpected dangers of the open ocean and the resilience of those who venture into it.
Sailors Jeremy and Gemma Cooper were 500 nautical miles off the coast of New Zealand when the Tai Tam lurched to port, revealing that it had been hit by something colossal. The pair watched in disbelief as a pod of six sperm whales swam behind the struggling yacht.
The vessel began taking on water and sank, forcing the crew to launch a life raft. After a desperate 17 hours adrift, a container ship found the stranded sailors and brought them to shore.
"We’re just relieved to be alive," the Coopers told the BBC, adding that they would return to sailing in the near future.
Video produced by Lana Lam, edited by Alex Foster.
