Five Rescued, Puppy Safe Afterโข Boat Sinks Off North Queensland Coast
CAPE โBOWLING GREEN, QLD – Five people โand a puppy were โrescued today after โคtheir boat sank near โขCape bowling Green,โฃ north of Townsville. A distress signal activated by the group led emergencyโ services to their location, averting a potentially tragic outcome.
The group hadโค beenโข travellingโข in a 7-meterโค boat from a โฃlarger anchored vessel towards โMagnetic Island when the boat began taking on water. They spent nearly โan hour in the water beforeโฃ being located byโฃ a rescue helicopter.
Townsville Water Police officer in charge Matthew Pegg said the group โคwas relieved when help arrived. “They were โpretty relieved when the helicopter โwas overhead,” Sergeant Pegg said. Heโข added the conditions โwere challenging,stating,”It was quite rough and the water was dirty and they were worried about other things that might have been in theโ water.”
Theโฃ rescued group included a puppy namedโค Sooky, who was reportedโ to be in “good spirits” and even took a โnapโค inโข the back of a โpolice car after being brought ashore. the boat sustained significantโ damage โคand is now lost.
Police are using the incident to โremindโค boaters of โthe importanceโฃ of carrying appropriate safety equipment, including an emergency beacon. “It has probably saved their lives,” Sergeant Pegg โsaid. “If your boating this summer, make sure your vessel has the correct safety equipment.”
The rescue highlights the critical role emergencyโค beacons playโ in maritime safety, particularly in North Queensland โคwaters. Authorities โurge allโค boaters to ensure their beacons are registered and in โgood working orderโค before heading outโ on the water.