Three young men cling to overturned boat at Keswick

The men on a sinking vessel had moments to relay their mayday call before the line went dead

Zizi Averill and Zizi.Averill@news.com.au

less than 2 min read

December 5, 2020 - 4:06PM

VMR Mackay public relations and marketing volunteer Daryl Howland said the radio room received the call from the men on-board a sinking 6.8m monohull vessel at 9am on Saturday. Picture: Zizi Averill

Mackay

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THREE young men on a sinking vessel had moments to relay their mayday call to the Volunteer Marine Rescue radio room before the line went dead.

VMR Mackay public relations and marketing volunteer Daryl Howland said the radio room received the call from the men on-board a sinking 6.8m monohull vessel at 9am on Saturday.

Mr Howland said the caller said there was a breach in the keel of the hull, with the vessel rapidly taking on water.

"Then the phone went dead," he said.

Luckily, Mr Howland said the marine rescue service had enough information to locate a young man and two teenage boys, who were stranded two nautical miles off Keswick Island.

Mr Howland said luckily the marine rescue service had enough information to locate the a young man and two teenage boys, who were stranded off two nautical miles off Keswick Island. Picture: JewelZee

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Mr Howland said by relaying with recreational vessels near Keswick Island the helpless fishing crew were located.

He said when Mastermyne Rescue five arrived the crew found the men "clinging to the overturned boat".