Six people have been rescued from a boat that became stuck on a sandbar in Hobart’s northern suburbs, after spending about eight hours waiting for the tide to come back in.
Emergency services were called around 5:50pm on Saturday after a report that a boat appeared to be in trouble in the Jordan River at Herdsmans Cove.
Police contacted those on board, who said the six-metre vessel was stuck in mud on a sandbar in shallow water but they were safe.
Tasmania Police said low water levels and unsafe conditions meant neither the rescue helicopter nor a boat could get to them straight away.
Police stayed in contact with the group and decided the safest option for everyone was to wait for the tide to rise.
Around 2am, the water was deep enough for a police vessel to reach the boat.
The six people were taken to shore and the boat was towed off the sandbar.
Police have not said why the boat was in the area.
The rescue comes as fine weather is forecast across southern Tasmania, with more people expected on the water.
Tasmania Police said conditions could change quickly, even on a good day.
Boaties are being urged to check the forecast for changes expected throughout the day before they leave.
Police also said people should understand local tides, currents and swell, particularly when crossing river mouths or bars or travelling along exposed coastline.
