Two people are dead after a yacht capsized off WA’s southwest coast.



The yacht was taking part in the Bunbury and Return Ocean Race and had six people on board when it overturned off Mandurah.



The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated the rescue of crew members from the water after receiving a distress call just before midnight.



Crew members were pulled from the water by other yachts taking part in the race.



The survivors were taken ashore for medical treatment.



Five rescue helicopters searched the area for the missing crew member in an area of about 90 square nautical miles, 22 nautical miles west south-west of Mandurah.

An Amsa jet from Perth tracked water movements in the area while water police, volunteer marine rescue crews and two yachts from the race, Fourth Dimension and Circa, assisted with the search.



The 15-metre yacht Finistere was about 11 nautical miles south-west of Mandurah when it raised the alarm and attempts to contact it via radio were unsuccessful.

Australian Associated Press contributed to this report