Rescue mission under way for two Australians stranded on damaged yacht in Tasman Sea

The men, in their 70s, were travelling from New Zealand when severe weather caused the vessel to take on water near Lord Howe Island

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Marine safety authorities have launched a rescue mission for two Australian men who have been stranded on a yacht in the Tasman Sea for almost 36 hours after severe weather caused the vessel to take on a large amount of water.

The pair, aged in their 70s, were travelling from New Zealand to Australia when they were hit by severe weather from a deep low-pressure system near Lord Howe Island.