Five people safe after boat started sinking at Burnett Heads

A simple mistake led to a close call for five fishers after their boat was inundated with water off the Queensland coast. WATCH THE VIDEO

Five fisherman faced a frightening ordeal when their fishing boat was inundated with water off the coast of Burnett Heads this morning.

According to Volunteer Marine Rescue, a call came in just after 9:30am with word a fishing boat was sinking 20 kilometres off the coast.

Queensland Police Service (QPS) also tasked RACQ LifeFlight rescue to help.

Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) skipper Glenn Vertigan said VMR made its way out to the sinking vessel.

“Eventually they worked out if they got up to speed, they weren’t taking on water anymore,” Mr Vertigan said.

The boat crew managed to remove some of the water and made its way back to Burnett Heads, but couldn‘t stop or they would risk it sinking.

VMR travelled with the boat back to the Burnett Heads Marina as the chopper kept watch from overhead.

According to a statement from RACQ Lifeflight Rescue, a panel was discovered missing from the back of the boat during a check back at the marina.

This is believed to have caused water to inundate the vessel when it stopped.

The five people on-board made it back to Burnett Heads safely and no one was injured.