Jeremy and Gemma Cooper said they were relieved to be rescued after a sperm whale struck and sank their yacht in the Pacific. Their account highlights the danger they faced far from shore, as the damaged boat began taking on water and they had to abandon it.

The couple were about 500 nautical miles off New Zealand with two other sailors when the yacht, Tai Tam, lurched to port. They saw six sperm whales behind the boat, escaped in a life raft and were picked up by a container ship 17 hours later. Despite the ordeal, they said they planned to return to sailing soon.