Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Registered distress beacon helps save two lives off WA
Two people have been rescued from the water after their five metre recreational boat sank about 40 kilometres north of Fremantle, Western Australia today.
A registered distress beacon played an integral role in their successful rescue.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) detected their distress beacon at about 1pm AWST today.
Search and rescue officers from AMSA phoned emergency contacts listed in the distress beacon's registration, who were able to provide valuable locational information for the boaties, as well as advice on safety equipment carried onboard.
AMSA tasked the Department of Fire and Emergency Services RAC Rescue Helicopter 652. At about the same time, Western Australia Police were responding to reports of flare sightings in the area.
Police tasked a number of marine and air assets to respond to the flare sightings, including Marine Rescue Fremantle, Marine Rescue Whitfords, Water Police and Department of Transport vessels. Police Airwing were also mobilised.
RAC Rescue Helicopter 652 arrived on scene and was able to home the beacon signal, locating the two people in the water. Both were winched to safety at 2:41pm and were taken ashore for medical treatment.
AMSA would like to thank everyone involved in today's rescue.
Registered distress beacons help save lives. Always keep your details, including emergency contacts, up-to-date. Visit beacons.amsa.gov.au to update your details.
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