Qld: Five fishermen rescued off Mackay

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2001
Qld: Five fishermen rescued off Mackay

Five fishermen have been rescued after their boat sank off Queensland's Whitsunday
Islands overnight.

Constable GRAEME PETTIGREW of Whitsunday Water Police says the skipper of the line
fishing vessel Hobo II sent a distress call around midnight.

The boat had been taking on water near Edward Island, south-east of Airlie Beach.

A rescue helicopter based at Hamilton Island dropped a liferaft to the men on the stricken
fishing vessel which sank around 4am.

A volunteer marine rescue boat then took the five men back to Mackay where they are
reported to be safe and well.

AAP RTV rad/rsm

KEYWORD: FISHING (BRISBANE)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.