Advertisement

Fishermen reveal terrifying night on stricken vessel during cyclone

Two fishermen have been rescued after being stranded for 36 hours in their boat in the Whitsundays after being battered by Cyclone Debbie.

Brian Burton and Sean Short tried to tether the boat off Whitsunday Island but the boat broke loose and ran aground.

The experienced sailors were able to email relatives for help, who then alerted authorities to their approximate location.

The man spoke about their harrowing experience. Source: 7 News
The man spoke about their harrowing experience. Source: 7 News
The two men were rescued by authorities following a night of terror. Source: 7 News
The two men were rescued by authorities following a night of terror. Source: 7 News

A water police crew spotted the vessel while searching for the missing men and the pair were able to be rescued by authorities.

The men are safe and well after being transported to Shute Harbour by police.

"We were anchored out there and we set in for the cyclone," Mr Burton said.

"It wasn't expected to hit here directly. We were all set until it got to 250km/h winds and no boat's going to hold anchor in that."

The missing men were rescued by local water police after spending the night on their boat. Source: QPS
The missing men were rescued by local water police after spending the night on their boat. Source: QPS
The devastation of Debbie: Another vessel crashes into rocks at Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach on Tuesday. Source: 7 News
The devastation of Debbie: Another vessel crashes into rocks at Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach on Tuesday. Source: 7 News
A tree toppled by winds of up to 263km/h on Airlie Beach as Cyclone Debbie made landfall. Photo: AAP
A tree toppled by winds of up to 263km/h on Airlie Beach as Cyclone Debbie made landfall. Photo: AAP

RELATED LINKS:

  • Starving and distraught tourist recalls cyclone nightmare

  • Debbie's damage: Queensland towns rocked by monster cyclone

  • Miracle baby girl born in Cyclone Debbie after floods strand couple

A relieved Mr Short said it is not something he would like to experience again.

"It was pretty rough, I don't want to do that again," he said.

"So I think I will count that as a one off and comeback again when it's sunny."

The Whitsundays were left devastated in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie, with winds reaching up to 263km/h on Tuesday morning at nearby Hamilton Island.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued warnings on Wednesday morning about heavy rain and flash flooding to be expected across large parts of Queensland.

RELATED VIDEOS: