The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) detected a distress beacon at 4 pm AWST about 166 km north of Perth.
Within minutes of the initial detection, AMSA tasked the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services RAC Rescue helicopter from Jandakot. The WA Water Police coordination centre was advised of the incident and tasked to coordinate local rescue assets, including the Jurien Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue Group (VMR) and local police.
AMSA also diverted a nearby Royal Australian Air Force aircraft, which arrived on scene at 4.53 pm and sighted three people wearing life jackets, clinging to the hull of an upturned boat.
The RAC Rescue helicopter winched two survivors from the water while the VMR crew pulled the third person to safety at about 6pm.
AMSA Search and Rescue Manager Al Lloyd said a properly registered, GPS-equipped distress beacon made all the difference in search and rescue operations.
“Distress beacons save lives, it’s that simple,” Mr Lloyd said.
Register your distress beacon and update your contact and trip details for free at AMSA’s beacon website beacons.amsa.gov.au.
AMSA would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue operation.
Multimedia
Footage taken from the RAC Rescue helicopter can be downloaded via the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0d4mdqf5l3fd4kh/AABt7hV2FcqJ_Z4cXmYkKz4qa?dl=...