RACQ LifeFlight rescue chopper saves boaties in distress

The crew of a boat rapidly taking on water of the Bundaberg coast has had a close call with disaster.

The crew of a boat rapidly taking on water off the coast of Bundaberg has been given a helping hand to safety.

The RACQ rescue helicopter was called to assist the boat, about 60 nautical miles off the coast, about 9am Wednesday.

The 6m-long boat was taking on water.

The crew of a nearby yacht escorted and watched over the leaking vessel as its crew bailed out water.

The LifeFlight helicopter remained on the scene until it could be determined the boat was not at risk of sinking.

Bundaberg’s Volunteer Marine Rescue arrived and led the ship back to safety.

“We are not aware what caused the boat to take on water,” said an RACQ LifeFlight spokeswoman said.

It was the sixth boat-related mission that the rescue helicopter was called to in the region in the past three weeks.