Navy rescues 5 from sinking yacht off coast of Lebanon

An IDF missile ship rescued five Israeli citizens from a sinking yacht 29 miles off the Lebanon coast on Tuesday. The private vessel got stuck in international waters after its engine broke down making the journey from Haifa to Larnaca, Cyprus.

According to Israel Radio, the yacht’s skipper, who was on the vessel with his wife and three children, called for help after the boat’s engine broke down and water began seeping in.

Lt.-Col. A told Israel Radio that the navy received the SOS message on Monday evening and immediately dispatched the missile ship to lend aid.

“When the ship arrived to where the yacht was stranded, soldiers helped the family members aboard and crew members tried to help the skipper fix the malfunction,” said A. “The passengers were well, if slightly scared.”

Unable to get the yacht working, the navy vessel towed it back to Haifa.