Water police plea after false alarm
Water police are urging skippers to take note of the number of people on board their vessels after a man believed to have fallen overboard was reported as safe on land.
The skipper of the 12m boat realised his friend missing about 6pm when the vessel was about half way to Garden Island.
He turned around and headed back to Fremantle and reported the man missing.
The skipper, his partner and their friend were together on the boat when it was docked at Fremantle Sailing Club but for some unknown reason the friend disembarked prior to their voyage unbeknownst to the skipper.
The man’s personal belongings including mobile phone were located on board the boat and this lead police to also believe the man was in fact overboard.
Eleven vessels and the RAC Rescue helicopter were deployed to try and find the man in fading light.
About 7.30pm authorities who had contacted the man’s wife were told the man had left the boat before it departed and there had been a miscommunication.
Water police Sgt Michael Wear said that while the skipper did the right thing by immediately reporting the man missing, it was crucial skippers were aware of the numbers onboard their vessels before and after departure.
“If you are going out to sea, check all passengers before you go, check all passengers on your return,” he said.
“Know where all your passengers are at all times while travelling."
Searchers scour the ocean off Fremantle after man reported missing from boat. Picture: James Wagner.
Authorities are unlikely to try and recover any of the costs associated with the rescue.
