Man charged with drug possession upon rescue from two day cling to remote lighthouse

A man has been charged with drug possession upon being rescued with two other men, after the trio had been clinging to a remote lighthouse in the sea for two days

Three men were stranded on a lighthouse for two days after their tinny ran out of fuel. Picture: Supplied.

A MAN has been charged with drug possession upon being rescued with two other men, after the trio had been clinging to a remote lighthouse in the sea for two days, police have said.

Police said the 26-year-old Milikapiti man was issued a notice to appear in court for possession of a trafficable quantity of cannabis as well as the failing to have safe marine equipment on his aluminium tinny, including life jackets, an EPIRB, flares or other safety equipment.

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They said the man, along with a 21-year-old and 52-year-old also from Milikapiti, were stranded on the lighthouse, about 100 metres from South West Vernon Island after running out of fuel, spending two nights on the lighthouse and adjacent reef.

Police began searching for the men on Saturday night after they were overdue from a voyage, leaving Melville Island on Friday before stopping at Buffalo Creek and Lee Point, before making their way back to Melville Island.

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After being located by an NT Police Airwing plane, NT Water Police rescued the men who were initially keen get fuel from Police and be on their way, before Police found more than 100g of a cannabis type substance, hidden on the lighthouse.

The men were escorted back to Darwin by Police and taken to Royal Darwin Hospital to be treated for heat stroke, sunburn and dehydration.