Around 10pm last night, the Northern Territory Police Force received reports of an overdue party consisting of two adults and two children who had departed Galiwinku by boat and failed to arrive at their intended destination.
NT Police Search and Rescue immediately commenced a coordinated search operation.
During the evening, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) deployed a Challenger jet aircraft to assist with the search; however, the vessel was not located overnight.
Joint coordination between AMSA, coordinating air assets, and NT Police Search and Rescue, coordinating sea assets, continued into the morning
At approximately 10:40am on Tuesday 19 May 2026, the missing party was located safe and well. It was established the vessel had suffered engine issues.
The party was safely returned to Galiwinku.
Assets involved in the search operation included:
- AMSA Challenger Jet aircraft
- NT Police aircraft
- Northern Territory Emergency Service
- NT Police Cultural Reform Team
- Australian Border Force vessel Leviathan
- Australian Defence Force P8-A aircraft
- Milingimbi Police working alongside the Milingimbi Outstation Progress Resource Association Rangers
- Galiwinku Police working alongside Marthakal Rangers
Senior Constable Michael Bishop from the NT Police Search and Rescue Section said, "This incident highlights the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation in achieving a quick resolution to what could have been a disastrous outcome. It is a reminder to all mariners to ensure their vessels are in working order and equipped with the required safety equipment."
