Commercial fishermen and police join forces to rescue stranded boaties off Melville Island

Local fishos, NT Police and Border Force officers have joined forces to rescue two men whose boat’s motor failed in the Top End.

LOCAL fishos, NT Police and Border Force officers have joined forces to rescue two men whose boat’s motor failed near Melville Island on Saturday.

NT Police Superintendent James Gray-Spence said the men had set off from Leaders Creek on Friday for a three day expedition when they got into trouble and activated their EPIRB emergency beacon.

He said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra picked up the signal and a Border Force plane quickly located the vessel, which was displaying a “V” sheet.

A nearby commercial fishing boat was directed to the stricken vessel until water police could arrive and tow them safely back to Darwin.

“This successful rescue is another example of government and private agencies working together,” Supt Gray-Spence said.

“The skipper had sufficient food and water, however, there was missing safety equipment and out of date flares on board.

“Incidents like these are a timely reminder to make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment, including a registered EPIRB, before you venture out on Territory waters.”

The latest incident comes after five stranded boaties were rescued off Turtle Island on Thursday after being missing for about 36 hours.

The party had been on board a 4m tinny with a 60hp outboard motor and were last seen on Tuesday afternoon leaving Pioneer Beach in Bynoe Harbour.

Originally published as Commercial fishermen and police join forces to rescue stranded boaties off Melville Island