NT sea search finds stranded boat off Bathurst Island
A stranded fishing boat which issued a distress alert was located by CareFlight off Bathurst Island some 80 km north-west of Darwin tonight and taken in tow by police. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) called Darwin's CareFlight to the search when the signal was detected by satellite at around 6.30 pm. Using their sophisticated homing equipment the helicopter crew tracked the Emergency Positioning Radio Indicating Beacon(EPIRB)signal to the boat about 2 km off the southern side of Bathurst Island, near Shoal Bay. Using their night vision goggles, the helicopter crew found two men on board the five metre boat at 8 pm but were unable to establish radio communication with the occupant using marine frequencies. However, the man on board turned the EPIRB on and off and flashed a light at the hovering helicopter. While the boat's motor had broken down, the CareFlight crew reported neither it nor the occupants were in any immediate danger. The CareFlight crew indicated to the men that a vessel would set out to take the boat in tow, as they notified AMSA and NT Police of the boat's exact location. After refuelling, the helicopter returned to monitor the position of the boat until it was taken in tow by police from Nguiu on Bathurst Island. CareFlight air crewman Steve Martz said because the helicopter was equipped with night vision goggles, and the crew's extensive training with the devices, they were able to conduct the night sea search efficiently and safely. The mission brings to over 80 the number of successful search, rescue and medical flights conducted by Darwin's CareFlight since the nationally-operating charity based the helicopter in the Top End in January to support the NT Government and rescue authorities.
For further information please contact NRMA CareFlight director Ian Badham on 0418 245 748.
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