Rescue mounted for sinking ship

RESCUE crews were summoned from all corners of the region as a distress call was sent out from a sinking boat off Fraser Island.

RESCUE crews were summoned from all corners of the region today as a distress call was sent out from a sinking boat off Fraser Island.

Four men were aboard the 8.2m vessel when it started to flounder about 25km off Eurong Resort.

Cooloola Rescue Coastguard received the initial call about 11am stating the boat was taking on water.

An AGL Rescue Helicopter crew was sent to the scene.

Pilot Peter Marris initially spoke to the men to advise help was on the way but said as the crew was approaching the boat they were unable to raise them.

"En route I was able to make contact with the boat by mobile phone and confirmed all four males on board were safe and well," he said.

"They were taking on water and reported their bilge pump, engine and radios had all failed, leaving them stranded.

"I advised our estimated time of arrival.

"On approach I attempted to call them again but they didn't respond."

When the crew arrived at the scene they were relieved to see all four men aboard were okay and the boat was still afloat.

The helicopter hovered above while they awaited the arrival of a rescue boat from Tin Can Bay which took the men aboard and towed their vessel back to shore.

Originally published as Rescue mounted for sinking ship