4 males had been left clinging to an Esky and a single life jacket after their boat sank 1km off the coast of Melbourne.
Police say the group, three of whom are aged 27 and one aged 26, owe their lives to an emergency beacon used to inform emergency companies of their dire predicament.
They had been about one kilometer off Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula on December 30, when their boat started taking over water about 8.45pm.
At the hours of darkness they shortly activated an emergency place indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) earlier than the vessel sank.
Water Police Squad Senior Constable Kristina Clappison mentioned the lads instructed the police there have been extra life jackets onboard, however they didn’t have time to retrieve them.
“Incidents like this present simply how essential it’s for boaties to hold the correct security gear,” she mentioned.
“There is no such thing as a doubt the end result might have been very totally different if these males didn’t have an emergency beacon.”
Managing the incident, the Water Police Squad notified the Mornington Volunteer Marine Rescue unit who shortly raced out to retrieve them.
Clinging to an Esky and a life jacket within the frigid water, the 4 males had been picked up with out harm.
One of many males used his cellphone torch to assist information rescuers to their location.
Senior Constable Clappison mentioned all boat operators ought to be sure their vessels are in working order and are carrying the required security gear earlier than heading out.
“The lads have purchased essential time till assist arrived by having a life jacket,” she mentioned.
The vessel is predicted to be retrieved on Thursday.
