Stranded boatie rescued after engine break down

March 08, 2023

The Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew has helped a boatie who was stranded after his engine broke down off the Capricorn Coast.

The rescue helicopter was tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) around 1pm on Wednesday 1 March .

It is believed the boatie had been travelling on his 5.2m tinny, north-east of Yeppoon, when he started experiencing an engine failure.

He set off his Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), before anchoring the boat and waiting for the rescue chopper to arrive.

A nearby cargo ship also helped to track the boat’s coordinates until the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper arrived.

The pilot flew directly to the boat’s provided coordinates, where the man and vessel were quickly located.

It was decided the best course of action was to winch the rescue crewman down to the water, where he was able to climb aboard the vessel.

After finding the man healthy, in good spirits and in no danger, the rescue crewman left an AMSA radio with him.

The crewman was then winched back into the chopper.

The helicopter hovered overhead, before providing coordinates to Yeppoon Water Police, who stayed on scene until Volunteer Marine Rescue was able to take the man and his boat safely back to shore.