A beacon activation was detected by AMSA Search and Rescue about 5.20pm (AEST) on Wednesday.
AMSA tasked local water police, a local ferry, a rescue helicopter and a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion, which was in the area to respond to the beacon activation.
The RAAF AP-3C Orion located the overturned vessel and stayed overhead until the arrival of the rescue helicopter.
All five survivors were rescued by the Spirit of Kangaroo Island ferry about 6.30pm.
The GPS encoded beacon played a key role in the rescue of the group, providing an accurate location for AMSA to direct all vessels and aircraft to the vessel’s location.
The beacon was not registered.
AMSA urges all beacon owners to register their beacon online to provide search and rescue officers with vital emergency contact information to assist in the fastest possible response in an emergency.
AMSA Search and Rescue thanks all involved in the search and rescue operation.