Child hit in the face by emergency flare during dramatic yacht rescue in Perth

The group of six people were enjoying an afternoon on their yacht when the rudder “completely blew off”, leaving them stranded and frightened.

Alexandra Feiam

2 min read

January 23, 2024 - 7:05AM

Family Life

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A child has been injured after an emergency flare was set off during a dramatic boat rescue.

Six people set sail on their boat on the waters of Whitfords Beach in Perth on Monday when the yacht’s rudder tore off, completely halting the boat’s movement.

On board were a group of men, women and children, all hoping to return to shore and terrified they’d capsize the boat as it crashed against the waves.

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A child was injured after being hit by an emergency flare. Source: 9News

Emergency flare hit child in the face

Setting sail in Whitford Beach, the group were making their way into the sea when the yacht’s rudder “completely blew off.”

Speaking to 7News, Mike Burbridge from Marine Rescue said the group would have felt as if they were driving in the car, “keeping their foot on the accelerator with the steering wheel doing nothing.”

In an unusual and potentially dangerous situation, the group were left without a lot of options. They didn’t have an emergency beacon on the vessel, so the group had no choice but to set off an emergency flare.

“We didn't want to set the flare off, but they kept telling us, 'Set the flare off,'” one of the skippers said.

But as the skipper set the flare off, the explosion burned his hand and hit one of the children in the face as he stood nearby.

“I think the flare backfired and a little bit flicked up and got his lip,” said the boy’s mum, Tanya, to 9News.

All aboard the boat were safely brought back to shore. Source: 9News

Safety warning issued ahead of long weekend

Thankfully, the injury wasn’t serious, and the group were safely saved by Marine Rescue.

Mike Burbridge has recommended other families who are planning to take their boats out for a spin over the long weekend to be prepared for anything - even an unexpected part failure.

“If you can also see someone nearby, that's where a flare is really good,” he said.

“It's a bit like waving your arms, but with a bright cloud of orange smoke or a really bright red light.”

He also recommended those aboard the board are “100 per cent cognisant to drive the vessel.”