The navy has been called in to rescue two boaters whose yacht capsized in wild seas off the coast of Wollongong.
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The vessel capsized about 15 nautical miles off Wollongong at 1am on Saturday.
A search began about 1pm after the yacht was reported missing and the HMAS Brisbane responded, reaching the search area about an hour later.
Police, Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving and NSW Ambulance along with other agencies attempted to find the boat and occupants.
The two people were ultimately located by the private merchant vessel MV Arietta Lily eight miles due east of Port Kembla.
HMAS Brisbane deployed a rigid inflatable boat to collect the two people who were clinging to the hull of the vessel.
At the time, there was a two-metre swell and winds were reaching 56 km/h.
The two experienced sailors were taken into the care of medics on HMAS Brisbane but despite their 15-hour ordeal in the water, they were assessed as being in good condition.
HMAS Brisbane took the sailors back to Sydney, where they were reunited with loved ones about 7pm.
"The quick response of the ADF and Arietta Lily to our distress broadcast was in the finest traditions of seafarers, and we appreciate the commendable seamanship of both Arietta Lily and HMAS Brisbane in sighting the survivors, maintaining visual contact and coordinating a response, and then recovering them in challenging conditions," the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.
HMAS Brisbane's commanding officer, Commander Kingsley Scarce, said the ship's crew were happy to help out fellow mariners.
"Tremendous teamwork from all of Brisbane's crew, from those who coordinated the search effort and response, to the bridge crew and lookouts, to those who provided medical care and hospitality to the survivors once rescued, and to all others who supported. The entire crew was eager to do whatever they could in the rescue effort," Commander Scarce said.
"I want to particularly acknowledge the bravery of the sea boat crew who conducted the rescue in appalling sea conditions."
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