AMSA Search and Rescue received a satellite detection of a registered EPIRB just before sunset at 5.51pm (AEST) on Wednesday 2 September.
The five metre vessel with three people on board was located at anchor about 22 kilometres north east of Townville by a Queensland Government Air Rescue helicopter. The Townsville Water Police arrived at the vessel a short time later and confirmed the men were safe.
The beacon's registration information, which included up-to-date emergency contact details, provided AMSA's joint maritime and aviation rescue coordination centre with the size of the vessel as well as the number of people on board.
The listed emergency contact was able to provide valuable information to AMSA which enabled a quick response and avoided a rescue operation in darkness and the occupants of the dinghy possibly spending the night at sea in their vessel.
AMSA Search and Rescue General Manager, John Young said the circumstances in this rescue demonstrate the importance of having your beacon properly registered with AMSA.
'Registering your beacon can save valuable time in a distress situation,' said Mr Young.
'This rescue was aided greatly by the information provided by the listed emergency contact which allowed AMSA to provide a quicker response.'
Visit the beacons website for more information or to register your beacon for free.