Port Lincoln boat tragedy survivor Danny Eckert’s love for his son ‘kept them alive’, friends say

The wife of Tom Eckert – one of the three men who died in a tragic boating accident off the coast of Port Lincoln this week – has spoken for the first time about the tragedy.

For more than 12 hours, world-renowned university professor Danny Eckert and his 12-year-old son clung to life in freezing waters – unaware if rescuers even knew they were there.

But those who know the 44-year-old father believe his unwavering “love and tenacity” for his son ultimately saved their lives.

Prof Eckert and his 12-year-old son were the only two survivors of a freak boat tragedy off Port Lincoln, that killed Prof Eckert’s brother Tom Eckert, father Paul Eckert and “dear” family friend Alan Bottrill.

On Thursday, Prof Eckert spoke for the first time since the accident – thanking emergency services and loved ones for their support in the “unimaginably difficult time”.

“I wish to express my immense gratitude to the emergency responders and everyone who helped with the search and rescue efforts,” Prof Eckert said in a statement.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the medical staff at the Port Lincoln and Women’s and Children’s Hospitals, who have provided us with outstanding care and support.

“I extend our sincerest appreciation to everyone including the whole Port Lincoln community who have offered their help, thoughts, and prayers.

“This kindness has been such a great comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Professor Danny Eckert has thanked first responders for saving his and his son’s lives. Picture: Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health – AISH

Prof Eckert and his 12-year-old son were found clinging to a reef near Spilsby Island, 40km off the Port Lincoln coast.

Wife of Tom, Tess Eckert thanked all emergency services, volunteers and general public who helped in the search for the members of the Eckert family and Alan.

“There are so many to thank and we don’t want to miss anyone but thank you. Without your help we could have lost so much more,” Tess said.

“Tom was an amazing husband, father, and best friend to so many.

“His pride and joy were his two boys aged 4 and 6, we can’t express in words how much he will be missed. He would have fought so hard to get back to us.

“We love him endlessly.

“We can’t describe how much the boys will miss their Grandpapa Paul who was a huge part in our lives and was also loved by so many.

“To the Bottrill family, who are close family friends, we send you all the love and support as you are going through the same grief as we are.

“Moving forward we ask for sensitivity and privacy at this time and chance to grieve in private.”

Neighbour Noela Krahn, 84, said she believed Prof Eckert’s love would have carried him and his son through the unimaginable horror of the night.

“If they were holding onto the reef, I can understand the father was probably holding onto the boy somehow as well … because the father loved that boy like you wouldn’t believe,” Ms Krahn told The Advertiser.

“Danny had such respect for this young boy, and he saw so much promise in him that the dad would have made sure that the boy was safe.

“I just know their love was paramount to their survival that night.”

Prof Eckert and his son had set off early on Monday with his brother Tom to join keen fishing mates Paul and Mr Bottrill for an adventure on the seas. At 4pm, the tragedy unfolded.

A freak wave flipped Mr Bottrill’s fishing boat, sending the five passengers into the open ocean – but it wasn’t until just after 8.30pm, when family members realised the group hadn’t returned, that the alarm was raised to police.

Police Water Operations Unit and Port Lincoln Police launched a frantic full-scale search over pitch black waters, deploying the local Sea Rescue team, PolAir and a Challenger aircraft from Australian Search and Rescue.

Messages were sent across marine radio channels to commercial and private vessels, with many – including a Pacific Explorer cruiseliner carrying more than 2000 guests – joining rescue efforts.

At 2am, PolAir made the miracle discovery.

Danny and his son were found clutching onto a reef near Spilsby Island, more than 45km from Port Lincoln’s shores.

Mrs Krahn said she had seen Mr Eckert’s instincts to keep his son safe first hand in the years she had lived near the family’s Torrens Park home.

Noela Krahn, neighbour of Pt Lincoln boating tragedy survivor Danny Eckert, said Danny’s unwavering love likely saved his son. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Once, Danny and his son were riding bikes and the dad was teaching the son how to brake down a hill,” Mrs Krahn said.

“At this time I was reversing out of my driveway and I didn’t see them immediately.

“But once Danny and I saw each other, Danny stopped their bikes and then Danny immediately went in front of his son to protect him.”

Ms Krahn said Prof Eckert was a “standout from the rest”, describing the 44-year-old as a consummate gentleman.

“Danny is brilliant, very intelligent. He’s a professor, but he wasn’t snobby which just left me amazed,” she said.

“He is quite private and reserved, but I think that’s because he has a lot of responsibilities in his life and work.”

Prof Eckert, head of Flinders University’s world-leading sleep clinic, recently made headlines for his work in the field, with an eight-week study he led made into a three-part SBS documentary, Sleep Revolution, with British TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley.

The Torrens Park dad is at the height of his career, named director of the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health (AISH) in 2019.

Prof Eckert’s former employee, Sydney-based Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), said he was “an incredibly gifted researcher, whose strength, resilience and resourcefulness have been evident throughout his career”.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family at this devastating time,” NeuRA said in a statement.

Paul and Tom Eckert were both killed in the boating accident. Picture: Facebook

Port Lincoln boating victim Alan Bottrill was remembered as a “dear friend” of the Eckerts. Picture: Supplied

The 44-year-old’s father, Paul Eckert, has been remembered as a “shining light” and the glue of his neighbourhood, who had planned on travelling to Spain later this year.

“He’s kept the community together by organising annual barbecues on Anzac Day and most people would attend,” one neighbour said.

“I’ve lived here for 25 years and every year we would get together at the barbecue … beyond that, Paul would always be happy to engage with the community by stopping by or saying hi.”

She said Paul was very “fit and active and engaged with the world” and would continually expand his horizons by travelling either on local camping trips or overseas.

“When we heard that Danny and his son were involved in the boating accident, we had tried to find out if Paul was already on his way to Spain because we wanted to believe he was safe,” she said.

“But obviously we know that tragedy struck him and his family; it’s such a shame because he was always so lively and such a doting father and grandfather.”

Prof Eckert’s brother, Tom Eckert, leaves behind his wife Tess and two children, aged four and six.