RACQ CQ RESCUE Helicopter Service

RACQ-CQ Rescue finds missing fisherman

March 10 2009

The RACQ-CQ Rescue crew has rescued one of the three fishermen missing in waters near Rockhampton.

The CQ Rescue crew winched the 20-year-old Hervey Bay man from a life raft at Swains Reef, about 165 nautical miles east of Rockhampton, about 9.40am

The man is in a stable condition.

A Dornier 471 rescue aircraft located the man in the water earlier this morning and deployed a life raft.

Mackay's RACQ-CQ Rescue helicopter, which was on standby at Heron Island, flew to Swains Reef and winched the man from the life raft before flying him to Rockhampton Airport, where he was met by an ambulance and taken to hospital.

CQ Rescue crewman Darren Bobin said the man was in very good condition considering he had been in the water for more than 24 hours. "He's a bit dehydrated and fatigued, but he's in good spirits," Mr Bobin said.

Mr Bobin said there were three people in the fishing vessel, which was anchored at Sweet Lip Reef early on Monday morning.

"The cyclone came through and capsized the vessel, and it rolled a number of times. This man jumped into a life raft, which was at the back of the boat. The life raft rolled and he was thrown into the water." >

Mr Bobin said the man was wearing a life jacket.

It is believed the man found an EPIRB floating amongst the debris in the water and activated it.

When he last saw the other two men, they were still in the fishing vessel. The search for them resumes.