Boaties survive four-hour ordeal
Two men have been rescued after activating an emergency beacon when their boat was caught in stormy conditions off WA's northern coast yesterday.
The men, aged 49 and 58, set off into King Sound from Derby in their 8m boat about 3.30pm, police said.
"During the evening, a storm passed through the area, after which the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra detected an EPIRB activation," a police spokeswoman said.
"The Water Police Co-ordination Centre in Fremantle and Derby Police were notified at 8.23pm and an air and sea search commenced shortly after."
A barge involved in the search, the Svitzer Doolja, found the men - wearing lifejackets and holding the EPIRB - alive in the water after midnight.
"They were found over 50 nautical miles north of Derby, rescued from the water uninjured and taken to Koolan Island," police said.
Water Police are reminding boat owners of the importance of carrying necessary safety equipment, especially EPIRBS, when heading out to sea.
