Air rescue abandoned after family stays on board yacht

REPORTS of a vessel breaking up out at sea prompted an air rescue mission that was stood down when the people on board chose to stay with their yacht.

REPORTS of a vessel breaking up out at sea from Fraser Island yesterday prompted an air rescue mission that was stood down when the people on board chose to stay with their yacht.

Hervey Bay Water Police received a distress call before midday from a yacht 86 nautical miles east of Bundaberg.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was notified, which deployed two AGL Action Rescue Helicopters for the air rescue mission.

The helicopters, based out of Bundaberg and Maroochydore, were on their way to reaching the vessel when the pilots made contact with the skipper, who reported that assistance was no longer required.

A family of four on board the yacht had decided to remain with the vessel and take it to calmer waters, despite reports the cabin had been breaking up.

AMSA stood down the rescue mission and the helicopters returned to their bases.

It was believed the skipper made the distress call due to poor sea conditions and strong winds battering the yacht.

The family were believed to have been entrants in a yacht race.