Two brothers stranded at sea share their incredible tale of survival
Two brothers are recovering with their family after an incredible ocean ordeal, lost at sea off WA’s remote Ningaloo coast.
The 18-year-old and 12-year-old spent 21 hours drifting in two-metre swells in a tiny inflatable boat with no food or water on board.
Incredibly, they got through the ordeal suffering only mild dehydration – but they owe their lives to the crew of the Bristow helicopter that spotted them, a tiny speck bobbing in the ocean.
The pair had been camping with their family at Ningaloo Station when they set off in their little inflatable dinghy around 4pm on Tuesday afternoon from South Lefroy Bay.
They were heading towards Norwegian Bay to do some fishing when disaster struck, with no supplies or safety gear on board.
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They ran out of fuel and only had three litres in a six horsepower outboard engine.
Succumbing to the elements, the brothers drifted all night with the currents and the wind, finally spotted just before 1pm on Wednesday afternoon about 30 kms west of Learmonth.
After being plucked from the water the pair was taken to Exmouth Medical Centre for a checkup, then were allowed to go home with their relieved parents at approximately 4pm Wednesday afternoon.
Seven News understands the family are now heading back to Ningaloo Station – with a remarkable tale of survival they’ll undoubtedly never forget.
