Stranded for hours: man clings to overturned boat in croc-infested waters before dramatic rescue
A late-night emergency beacon alert set off a complex search and rescue mission in remote waters off the Northern Territory coast.
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A man stranded for nearly four hours in crocodile and shark-inhabited waters off the Pellew Islands has been dramatically rescued thanks to quick-thinking locals and emergency responders.
The 55-year-old man was found clinging to the overturned hull of his landing craft about 70km northeast of Borroloola late Friday after an emergency beacon (EPIRB) alert triggered a search effort.
A Challenger rescue aircraft was dispatched from Cairns, while mariners from King Ash Bay responded on the water.
The aerial search team spotted the capsized vessel around 1am, and the local rescue boat arrived shortly after to pull the man to safety.
Despite spending hours stranded in the treacherous waters, the man was found in good health.
Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr from the NT Police Search and Rescue Section credited the successful outcome to the EPIRB activation and the swift response from the King Ash Bay community.
“Their knowledge of the area and willingness to assist authorities in rescuing a fellow Territorian cannot be overstated,” Grotherr said.
The cause of the incident is under investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting rough seas and vessel overloading may have played a role.
Marine Safety NT will conduct a formal review.
Authorities are reminding all boaters to ensure their EPIRBs are registered and up to date to improve response times in emergencies.
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