THREE sailors attempting to sail from Melbourne to Tasmania have been rescued in a difficult air and sea operation in Bass Strait.
The men set off a distress beacon 53 nautical miles off Victoria's Wilsons Promontory after their 11-metre twin-masted yacht was overwhelmed by the turbulent seas.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre issued an emergency broadcast to ships in the area and dispatched the search and rescue Dornier aircraft.
A second aircraft, an Ambulance Victoria helicopter, also aided the rescue.
Air Ambulance Victoria manager of air operations Anthony De Wit said the helicopter crew lowered a radio to communicate with the sailors in the rough conditions.
"It was a difficult operation as the yacht was being tossed about in the sea," Mr De Wit said.
"We were able to confirm no one was seriously injured."
The men were rescued by a nearby cargo ship at 9.45pm (AEDT) on Monday, almost three hours after setting off the emergency beacon.
One man in his 70s was taken to The Alfred Hospital with a cut to his leg.
In another water rescue, the third for Victoria Police in 24 hours, officers saved two men after their boat capsized in Port Phillip Bay.
The men were fishing off the coast of Tootgarook on the Mornington Peninsula when their boat took on water and capsized on Tuesday.
The men were winched to safety and did not require treatment.
Water Police Sergeant Andrew Lilly said it was a lucky outcome from a potentially life-threatening operation.
"This is the third rescue in 24 hours which Water Police and Air Wing have co-ordinated," Sgt Lilly said.
"In this case, the two fishermen were wearing lifejackets and stayed with their overturned boat, which could have saved their lives."
