Nine Israelis who were trying to return home by sea from Cyprus on Sunday were rescued by Israeli maritime officers after their yacht stopped functioning.

The incident occurred just days after 16 Israelis were rescued when they were stuck close to the port of Sidon, Lebanon, following an engine failure.

Nine people, including an 80-year-old woman and a seven-year-old boy, were rescued after the mast of their boat snapped off.

“Sailing from Cyprus to Israel on a sailboat takes 24 hours — a long and grueling trip for those unaccustomed to the sea,” Chief Superintendent Ran Vered, commander of the Eastern Mediterranean sector of Israel Police’s maritime division, told Ynet.

Vered explained that those who aren’t accustomed to traveling by sea may experience nausea and fatigue, in addition to the psychological effects of being confined to a small enclosure on the sea for hours.

Gleb Smirnov, 34, a photographer from Holon, told Ynet about the frustration of having been stranded when the conflict between Israel and Iran led to the closing of airports and the cancellation of flights.

However, the frustration of not being allowed to fly was matched by the hardships of the journey.

“I waited a week in Cyprus to get home — flying wasn’t an option,” Smirnov said. Fortunately, he met up with a friend, her son and grandmother, and a few soldiers, and the group decided to take a yacht from Cyprus to Israel.

Although the group thought their problems were behind them once they boarded the yacht, more challenges lay ahead.

“We vomited for about 10 hours straight,” said Smirnov.

At one point, Smirnov said, the skipper was so exhausted that he had to take the helm of the boat. When they finally spotted land close to Haifa, the yacht’s mast snapped.

“With the mast down, we had no radio,” Smirnov added. “That’s when you’re still vomiting, stuck below, and can’t do much. Fortunately, a navy boat must have spotted our distress and called in police patrol boats. The officers were incredible.”

Chief Superintendent Vered highlighted the dangers involved: “We have to remember that our officers are risking their lives. The sea is an unpredictable and exposed environment — there are no warning systems, no real protection, and no immediate shelter. These rescues are extremely hazardous, especially given the distances involved, which can require 30 minutes to an hour of sailing. Still, the mission requires it.”

When Smirnov returned, he was shaken but relieved, and vowed never to get on a boat again; “I feel like I survived the Titanic.”

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