They’re alive! Missing Goolwa men Derek Robinson and Tony Higgins found stranded at Salt Creek – hours after search was called off
Two boaties feared lost at sea have been found alive hours after a four-day search was called off. Their vessel has been towed to Granite Island and the family reunions have begun.
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Two men missing at sea for more than four days have been towed to safety after making contact with authorities hours after all hope seemed lost.
A small fishing boat carrying Derek Robinson, 48, and Tony Higgins, 57, was found near Salt Creek on the Coorong on Thursday morning, more than four days after their vessel vanished off the Eyre Peninsula coast.
One of the men made contact with authorities on Wednesday night – hours after a wide-ranging sea search had been called off – and said the pair was in good health and spirits.
They were towed back to Victor Harbor by police boat Investigator 2.
Water Operations police officers inspected the anchored boat about 100m off Granite Island jetty.
After some time, Mr Robinson was placed on the police boat to be reunited with the loved ones waiting ashore. Mr Higgins opted to stay with his vessel, which had become waterlogged.
Hope for the pair’s survival had all but vanished on Wednesday night after a fourth day of searching failed to uncover any trace of the close mates.
The last contact with the men came four days earlier, when they said their boat was having engine trouble and they were heading towards Kangaroo Island.
They had drifted hundreds of kilometres further east than thought.
“Police can confirm they have made contact with the men on board the boat missing in waters south of Port Lincoln,” a SA Police statement said.
“About 10.20pm on Wednesday 10 September, the men on board the boat made contact with police. Police worked with other rescue services overnight to determine the exact location of the boat.”
The pair’s 33ft double-ender fishing boat – which they had just purchased and were sailing from Coffin Bay to Goolwa – was found off the Coorong, about 230km southeast of Goolwa, where the men live.
Mr Robinson’s brother, Ian Robinson, said the family was “over the moon” to discover the men had survived and were uninjured.
“I’ve never been happier, my brother is alive,” he said.
“I am happy as a pig in sh*t. I was losing the plot for the last couple of days.
“(But) I was not giving up until there was a body, debris, or a boat.
“The anxiety and pain you go through, I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. It’s been emotional.”
Mr Robinson said his family was scared they were being pranked after hearing the men had made contact.
“We had bits of information last night, then we found out early hours this morning about 4am (it was real),” he said.
“I am gobsmacked how all those search planes have gone over that area and not seen them.
“We sort of figured that 12-hour span at night that no one is looking, they’ve crept through.
“I’d just like to thank everyone that was involved in the search and all the prayers.”
Mr Robinson said he couldn’t wait to be reunited with his brother, but wasn’t sure if he’d “go up and hug him or punch him out” for giving the family such a fright.
Prior to the men making contact SA Police Superintendent Paul Bahr said on Wednesday night that every search area had been exhausted.
“After searching around 104,000 square kilometres, Australian and Maritime Safety Authority advised us last night that they would be suspending any further sea search,” Superintendent Bahr said on Wednesday night.
“They have checked every part of the area with no sign of the vessel.
“The decision has been made, that if nothing comes from tonight we will also suspended any further search activities.”
The men had not been heard from since Friday night, when they called a friend to say they were experiencing difficulty with the propeller.
The duo were reported missing on Sunday with their last known location between Coffin Bay and Kangaroo Island.