A Quebec couple's cry for help from the south Atlantic was heard back home, by a ham radio operator thousands of kilometres away.

The couple had sold all their possessions last year to sail around the world. On Christmas Eve, pirates invaded their boat, tied them up and stole almost everything of value.

Now, the couple is stranded off the coast of Colombia, injured and with no money, no way to get home.

A ham radio operator in Quebec heard their call for assistance, and has organized some Canadian yacht clubs to send them supplies and financial aid.