The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has been coordinating the rescue of the crew members from the 14.2m vessel. Photo: Supplied / AMSA
A rescue mission to save a pair of sailors in the Tasman Sea is underway.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) initially said the sailors were from New Zealand, but now says they were instead sailing from New Zealand.
AMSA has been coordinating the rescue of the crew members from a 14.2m vessel currently 164 nautical miles (305km) East of Lord Howe Island.
The alarm was raised by a family member about 3am (AEST) yesterday that the vessel had encountered severe weather, was taking on water and had sustained damaged to its steering.
An emergency beacon was activated about 5am (AEST) yesterday morning.
"AMSA's has responded its Melbourne-based challenger rescue aircraft along with multiple Royal Australian Air Force aircraft which have been overhead since yesterday," it said.
"The NSW Police vessel 'Nemesis' and two merchant vessels are en route but are not expected to reach them until this afternoon and evening."
The men are believed to be in their 70s and experienced sailors.
The crew members are aboard a 14.2m sailing boat located 305km east of Lord Howe Island in Australia. Photo: Google Maps