MARINE RESCUE: Boat sinks in Cleveland Bay

A boat has sunk off Townsville after it began rapidly taking on water while three people were on board. All three men reportedly felt a heavy impact to the rear of the boat before it sank.

Townsville water police say the boat sunk around 5am. Photo: Trevor Veale

A boat has sunk off the Townsville coast after it began rapidly taking on water on Saturday morning, December 28.

The three occupants - a man and his two adult sons - were rescued by a nearby boat after they activated a distress flare.

According to the family, all three men felt a large impact to the rear of the boat that threw them forward, and witnessed the outboard motor fly up and crash back down before the boat started rapidly taking on water.

According to the family, they also set off an EBIRP and contacted the coast guard, but were ultimately saved by a nearby recreational boatie. Picture: CHRISSY HARRIS

By the time the second boat arrived on scene, the father was using an esky to stay afloat.

It is understood the boat had recently exited the Ross River and was travelling across Cleveland Bay around 5am when it began to take on water.

Aerial view of Quayside Terminal, Port of Townsville

The vessel was located “just outside the Port of Townsville” when it began to sink, police say.

Currently, authorities do not believe the boat hit anything to cause the rapid sinking.

The boat cannot be inspected for visible damage because it is still underwater.

Authorities are yet to provide more details.

Originally published as MARINE RESCUE: Boat sinks in Cleveland Bay