UPDATED: Monday 4.13pm

Searchers have located two people missing in a boat in the Princess Charlotte Bay area, north of Cairns.

An upturned vessel was sighted about five nautical miles west of Wharton Reef late this morning, with a rescue helicopter retrieving the couple from the 4.3m boat around lunch time today. 

The 25-year-old man and 23-year-old woman are safe and well, but suffering hypothermia, and were transported to Coen for medical treatment. 

Previously reported
Search for missing boat continues
Monday 12.33pm

Police are continuing the search for a man and woman missing in the Princess Charlotte Bay area after failing to return from a boating trip yesterday.

It is believed the man and a woman on board the 4.3m boat are part of a group camping at Bathurst Heads and set out for a day trip around 8.30 on Sunday morning.

Police commenced an aerial and water based search yesterday afternoon when the vessel failed to return.

The search has resumed this morning with agencies assisting with an aerial search of the Flinders Island group and Wharton Reef area, with water police conducting search of the waters in the vicinity.

It is believe the missing people had adequate equipment and some water and food, but didn’t have provisions for an extended trip.