Rescue chopper called to sinking ship off Mackay

August 12, 2025

A person has been rescued after their boat sunk south-east of Mackay.

BMA CQ Rescue received a call for help from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on Sunday night.

A search and rescue mission had been activated when a Personal Locator Beacon signal was received near South Percy Island.

The CQ Rescue crew were able to locate a sinking vessel with one person on board.

Realising the ship was sinking, the person had abandoned ship and climbed onto nearby rocks.

With nowhere to land, a Rescue Crew Officer was winched down to retrieve the patient.

They were both winched back up to the helicopter and flown back to Mackay for treatment on minor injuries.