Just before 12pm AEST today, AMSA Search and Rescue detected an unregistered distress beacon about 9nm east of Schouten Island, south east of Swansea.
AMSA Search and Rescue tasked the Tasmania Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Hobart and a merchant vessel in the area to respond, as well as one of its search and rescue Dornier aircraft and a nearby aircraft in flight.
Tasmania Police also responded and requested several vessels in the area to respond.
The rescue helicopter located two people in a liferaft and winched them to safety about 2pm AEST this afternoon.
In this incident, the beacon was unregistered.
AMSA encourages all beacon owners to register their beacon with AMSA. Having a registered distress beacon helps AMSA get assistance to people as soon as possible.
You can register your distress beacon for free on AMSA’s beacon website or by phoning 1800 406 406.