Media Release

Adventurers rescued off Western Australia

Australian Search and Rescue today coordinated the rescue of two men from their capsized boat off the West Australian coast. The men were attempting to row across the Indian Ocean.

The two British men were located by a search aircraft at about 9.30 am (AEST) after activating their distress beacon last night about 110 nautical miles north-west of Kalbarri, WA.

A search aircraft from Shine Aviation in Geraldton could not locate the men last night due to low cloud and darkness. The same aircraft located the men clinging to the upturned hull of their seven-metre boat this morning.

The merchant ship Bulk Africa was diverted to the distress position and took the men on board at about 2.15pm (AEST).

The two men were then winched on board a Royal Australian Air Force helicopter and returned to shore. They are understood to be uninjured.

The weather conditions in the area were poor with 20 to 30 knot winds and four metre seas.

The men were planning to row across the Indian Ocean to Madagascar. They left Kalbarri on May 16.

Further information:

Ben Mitchell 0418 164 901

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