A nine-year-old boy was among five people rescued from Port Esperance Bay near Dover in southern Tasmania after their dinghy capsized on Easter Sunday evening.
Salmon farm workers from Tassal and other nearby boat operators pulled the group from the water after responding to distress flares and a mayday call over marine radio.
Tasmania Police said three men, a woman and the child were returning to shore in the small boat after spending the day aboard a larger vessel.
A bow wave struck the dinghy at about 7:25pm, throwing all five into the water about 200 metres from shore.
Police said all were wearing life jackets.
The group spent about 20 minutes in the cold water before help arrived.
Police said rescuers “responded quickly”, locating the group and bringing them safely back to shore by about 7:50pm.
Police and paramedics provided further assistance on land, including shelter in warm vehicles.
“While they were wet, cold and shaken up, there were no serious injuries,” police said.
