Anita McInnes
A MAN has died and two men have been rescued after a boating accident off the Alkimos coast this morning.
Yanchep Police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Jamie Brennan said about 11.45am a member of the public reported finding an upturned vessel about 10 nautical miles west of Alkimos, with its three occupants in the water.
Senior Sergeant Brennan said information available so far indicated the vessel was anchored, the three men who were believed to be out fishing got into to some difficulty and shortly thereafter the vessel capsized.
The men were in the water for about two hours before they were found by two other men out fishing.
Senior Sergeant Brennan said he had spoken to both the survivors.
“They’re obviously shaken as one would expect having lost one of their friends however physically they appear to be okay,’’ he said.
“They did have emergency equipment on board – two of the survivors were wearing life jackets and an orange smoke flare was deployed also.’’
But he was unsure if the deceased man was wearing a life jacket and could not comment on whether he had been injured.
But it appeared he was already deceased when they were found by the people who found the capsized vessel, which Senior Sergeant Brennan said was about 4.75m – just a bit bigger than a dinghy.
“The boat received some minor damage but it’s fairly much intact still.’’
The deceased man’s next of kin was still to be notified so out of respect he could not give information about their ages.
“There was a fair bit of swell out there today as you might have seen on the outer reefs.
“But as you know the sea can be quite an unforgiving environment so you’ve always got to have your wits about you.
“I’m sure every skipper goes out there fishing or enjoying the ocean not expecting something tragic like this to happen.
“Being a skipper myself we’re all well versed in what safety equipment we have to take with us and that we should all be wearing life jackets and carry the appropriate radio and EPIRB, flares etc.’’
Water Police responded to the emergency with the police helicopter, an RAC Rescue helicopter, local police and Marine Rescue Two Rocks also involved.
The two survivors and the deceased were returned to shore with Marine Rescue Two Rocks also towing the capsized vessel to the marina, where it was seized by police as part of the ongoing investigation.
St John WA were also at the marina, to check on the welfare of the two survivors.
Senior Sergeant Brennan said a report would be prepared for the Coroner.
