Two Hunter sailors and a third man from the Sydney suburb of Maroubra have been rescued after a cruise ship found them adrift in a life raft off the coast of New Caledonia.
P&O cruise ship Pacific Dawn rescued the men after they abandoned their sinking boat on Thursday morning.
Chris Doran, of Coal Point, his cousin, Kevin Doran, of Salamander Bay, and a third man, Ben Johnson, were aboard the vessel off New Caledonia when it began to sink after hitting a tug rope.
Mr Johnson told Nine News that the impact "completely stalled our props and ripped the skeg bearings out and completely ripped through the bottom of the hull".
"From there it was just panic stations, and we had manual pumps going, bilge pumps going.
"So we abandoned. We abandoned ship by then because it was already lifting and she was in ... she was in very bad shape."
The men then activated their emergency beacon, sending out an SOS with their geographical location, which the cruise ship responded to.
"Just seeing the sight of her coming along, I just ... yeah I couldn't thank my lucky stars," Mr Johnson told Nine.
"I mean, I was just so, so grateful. I am still pinching myself, I still can't believe I'm on P&O and I'm heading to Brisbane."
The cruise ship, scheduled to dock in Brisbane on Saturday, had been on a seven-day trip around the South Pacific.
In a Facebook post, P&O Cruises said the three men they named as Ben, Chris and Kevin "couldn't be happier" to be spending the night safe aboard the Pacific Dawn.
"We wanted to let you know that Pacific Dawn has this morning led the rescue of three seafarers adrift in a life raft near New Caledonia after abandoning their stricken yacht that was taking on water," P&O Cruises wrote.
"Our wonderful Pacific Dawn team have followed the highest maritime traditions going to the aid of fellow seafarers in peril."
In a Facebook post dated September 23, Chris Doran wrote that the trio were departing Vanuatu aboard the Liberty after five months sailing in the Pacific.
"We're looking at heading off to Australia for a long voyage home in a couple of days," Mr Doran posted.
"Hard to believe the Liberty has been in the Pacific for five months."
P&O said it was "wonderful to know that the three seafarers are safe and well."
"Marine rescue authorities in Noumea asked Pacific Dawn to divert to assist the three seafarers after receiving their distress call. All three are now safely aboard Pacific Dawn and being cared for by our devoted onboard team."
The captain gave guests regular updates on the sea rescue mission.
"Amazing to think this all happened on World Maritime Day, a celebration of seafarers."
- with reporting from Lydia Lynch at the Brisbane Times
