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Emergency beacon 'saved men's lives'

Police have revealed dramatic details of the rescue of two men whose boat was swamped off Two Rocks yesterday.

The wife of one of the men told police her husband's friend made several attempts to dive into the partially submerged boat to activate the emergency beacon after the vessel was swamped by a wave.

It was a decision that police say probably saved the men's lives.

Water Police Sergeant Michael Wear said the outcome could have been different if the beacon had not been activated and the successful rescue highlighted the importance of EPIRB devices.

"If he didn't activate that EPIRB we would not have been notified until late last night that the vessel was overdue,” he said.

“It's more than likely that these guys wouldn't be alive without that EPIRB.”

Sgt Wear said police had spoken to relatives of the rescued men, David Navin and Ivan Hallissey.

“Their spirits are fairly high,” he said.

Police spoke to Mr Hallissey's wife after her husband was admitted to Royal Perth Hospital for burns treatment last night.

“She gave us an indication of what happened to them while they were out there,” he said.

“(Mr Navin) ducked dived under the boat a few times to try and activate the EPIRB before the situation got a bit worse.”

FIGHT FOR LIFE

Mr Navin, who was unconscious when rescuers pulled him from the water, remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at Joondalup Health Campus.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

Ivan Hallissey is lead to a waiting ambulance. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian



Timeline:

10am: EPIRB activated about two nautical miles off Two Rocks, close to Gretel Reef.

Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra advises Fremantle Water Police and a marine

search and rescue operation is launched.

Whitfords and Two Rocks marine rescue groups send boats to the search area as water police vessel dispatched to join them.

Westpac Lifesaver 8 helicopter and police airwing also join the search.


11am: Yanchep police locate a vehicle and boat trailer belonging to one of the men at Two Rocks Marina car park.

Noon: Extra resources including a search plane prepared as authorities consider extending the search area.

12.45: RAC rescue helicopter joins the search.

1pm: Water police locate one person before the second man is spotted from the Sea Guardian.

Both men are pulled from the water and to Two Rocks Marina where the rescue helicopter crew was waiting to provide medical help.