Several members of an organised fishing party from Wollongong NSW were rescued from a capsized charter boat off central Queensland early this morning.
According to an ABC news report, 21 people were thrown overboard from the fishing charter boat Bell Cay when it capsized after running aground 250km off Rockhampton.
All of the 21 rescued were reported as being safe.
The Bell Cay reportedly ran aground on a reef just after 4am AEST in bad weather. The conditions hampered rescue operations with authorities unable to despatch helicopters, due to strong wind and heavy rain.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokeswoman Carly Lusk told the ABC a number of fishing boats in the area went to the people’s aid.
“It appears to have run up on the reef and capsized.”
“Twenty-one people on board and three fishing vessels responded to the mayday and have reported that all 21 [were] safely in a life raft.”
Kay Becker from the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service in Rockhampton says everyone appears to be okay.
“AMSA advises they were just cuts and scratches and that everyone was okay,” she said.
