Pair lucky to be alive after boat sinks at Arlington Reef
SEARCH AND RESCUE
A Kewarra Beach couple is lucky to be alive after their boat sunk at Arlington Reef, 38 kilometres off the coast of Cairns on Saturday night.
The male and female onboard had been unable to access lifejackets and the EPIRB after the anchor rope allegedly became entangled in the outboard motor at around 9.50pm causing the stern of the boat to face the swell.
Waves quickly swamped the 5.2-metre fibreglass vessel forcing the pair into the water.
A police spokesperson said one of the passengers was able to screenshot GPS coordinates on their mobile phone which were conveyed to Water Police officers quickly activating a search and rescue operation.
“Following an immediate response to the urgent situation, the two adults were located by the Water Police at around 11.05pm treading water and clinging to an anchor float that they were able to retrieve prior to the vessel sinking,” the spokesperson said.
“One of the passengers utilised the torch on their mobile phone to guide police to their exact location.
“Both adults were exhausted but otherwise in good health.”
The pair were shaken but didn’t require further medical attention.