Lifeflight rescues two men at Moore Park, near Bundaberg

Two men were forced into the ocean after their catamaran took on water off the coast of Bundaberg and started sinking just minutes later. See photos from the dramatic rescue.

Chilling images show the brave rescue effort.

Two men had a lucky escape after the boat sank off the coast of Bundaberg on Tuesday.

The Bundaberg-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew plucked the two men from the ocean, after their 35-foot catamaran sank, just minutes after it started to take on water.

Lifeflight media revealed in a statement that an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon had been activated, prompting swift action to save the men.

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“The chopper was called into action by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to a location offshore from Moore Park, after the sailors’ Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was activated,” a spokesperson said.

“AMSA received the distress signal around 3pm and immediately tasked resources to the area.

Chilling images show the brave rescue effort.

“It‘s believed the two men were travelling on the motorised yacht, when it started listing to one side and quickly taking on water.”

The men were not able to radio Volunteer Marine Rescue because their batteries had taken on too much water by the time they realised they were in trouble.

“They later told their rescuers they snapped a screen shot of their position on a smart phone, showing latitude and longitude and managed to text it to VMR, along with a message saying their vessel was going down quickly,” the Lifeflight spokesperson said.

“The yachties activated their EPIRB and got their lifejackets on, with only moments to spare, before their yacht disappeared underwater, leaving them floating on the surface.”

The boaties had to be rescued by chopper.

The rescue chopper was able to see the crew, debris and a smoke grenade which the men had set off.

“It was decided the safest course of action was to winch rescue crewman Chris Jowsey down to the pair, then hoist them one at a time up into the safety of the helicopter,” the spokesperson said.

“Without their quick thinking, their preparation and without the correct safety equipment these gentlemen might not have made it.

“They were lucky, though it isn‘t really luck; it is good sense to be well prepared and well equipped.”

The rescued boaties were in good spirits when they were flown to the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Bundaberg base, where they were assessed by paramedics.

The yacht sunk in just minutes.