Duo rescued after boat capsized at popular fishing area
A duo whose boat capsized at a popular Top End fishing area were rescued swiftly thanks to an Epirb.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TWO men left clinging to their boat’s hull after it capsized off Dundee were rescued by a nearby yacht on Saturday.
The vessel had a bilge pump failure and capsized about 12 nautical miles offshore.
The two Territory residents, aged 40 and 36 were left hanging onto the boat for 40 minutes before help arrived. They were not injured.
NT Police said the skipper of the capsized boat was prepared and able to raise the alarm with an Epirb.
Senior Sergeant Sandi Mellon said once the alarm was raised police were able to co-ordinate a rescue party.
MORE TOP NEWS
‘We are all shattered’: Darwin dad Ian Gundersen remembered after tragic truck crash on Stuart Hwy
Darwin’s top spot for parking fines revealed
Schnappy the pet croc walks with harness and lead at beach
“The beacon provided the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra with the vessel’s location, and Water Police section deployed the PV Chambers Bay to attend,” she said.
“Two private yachts in the vicinity were tasked to attend the location as well.
“One of the yachts was first to the scene, where the crew on board located a 4.5m vessel upturned and two people clinging to the hull.”
She said the duo were taken on board and taken back toward Dundee. Water police then met the yacht and took the pair to the Dundee boat ramp.
“Incidents like this demonstrate how important it is to have the right safety equipment on board,” Sen Sgt Mellon said.
“Maintenance and testing of the equipment in the boat should go beyond getting your motor serviced at the appropriate times, but also extends to checking whether all important equipment is working every single time you go out on the water.
“The skipper was well-prepared and could quickly raise the alarm with a location. Our thanks too, to the skippers of the two private vessels that responded to assist and enabled everyone to get home safely.”
The boat was collected today.
Residents threatened with frying pan during home invasion
A youth has been arrested in connection to a truck theft which took place a month ago in the Red Centre, after he allegedly threatened two elderly Tennant Creek residents with frying pan during a home invasion, police say.
‘Unacceptable’: Security guard assaulted in servo station attack
A Katherine service station has been targeted twice in less than 48 hours, with a 72-year old security guard injured while trying to protect the roadside stop.