Nine men dead after ‘large wave’ strikes boat near Ashmore Reef

Three men have survived and nine men are missing and feared dead after their vessel sank near Ashmore Reef during an incident at sea.

Three men have survived and nine are missing and feared dead after their vessel sank off Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast during an incident at sea.

The nine are believed to have drowned and their bodies “lost by the current” after their wooden vessel, the Seahorse, was hit by a “large wave” on Sunday night.

Authorities told news.com.au it was sighted about 7pm (AEDT) on Sunday, approximately 180km west of Ashmore Reef.

Rescue crews rushed to the scene from both Broome and Cairns on Monday morning but “unfortunately, there were nine crew members who were not able to be located,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) told news.com.au.

Three people were rescued by a Singapore-flagged bulk carrier that was diverted by Australian authorities. One survivor is critically ill and has been flown to Broome hospital.

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An anchor from a shipwreck found at Ashmore Reef.

The ship departed Indonesia on Thursday but “did experience a sea accident due to being hit by a big wave in the Ashmore waters of Australia,” the Head of the Kupang Search and Rescue (SAR) Office Emi Freezer told local media.

The men are believed to be fisherman with the victims from Hundihuk Village in the Northwest Rote District in Indonesia.

“Yes, that’s right, this really happened. Only this incident is in Australian territory, and at this time the victims, both survivors and those who died, are still being handled by the Australian side,” explained Aiptu Anam Nurcahyo, Head of Public Relations for Rote Ndao Police.

Ashmore Reef. Picture: John Pryke

AMSA told news.com.au it “coordinated the rescue of three people after a capsized Indonesian fishing vessel” and confirmed the boat had 12 people on board.

“AMSA tasked a number of resources to the incident which included the Cairns-based Challenger rescue aircraft and a Broome-based rescue helicopter,” an AMSA spokesperson said.

“AMSA diverted the Singapore-flagged bulk carrier PSU Sixth which rescued three survivors from the fishing vessel.

“The helicopter crew refuelled en route at a nearby oil rig before conducting a winch recovery of one survivor, who was critically ill, and recovering them to Broome hospital.

“The two remaining survivors were then transferred to an Australian Government vessel and are expected to arrive in Darwin tomorrow.

“AMSA thanks all involved in this search and rescue mission.”