A man and woman in their sixties have been rescued from “rough seas” off Tasmania’s north-west coast near Stanley this morning when their boat’s engine failed, leaving them stranded.
The incident unfolded around 9am on New Years Day when the man fell overboard while tending to the vessel’s engine in adverse weather conditions.
Police Acting Inspector Martin Parker said the woman was able to raise the alarm and, with the help of members of the local community, both she and the man were located and brought to safety around 9:45am.
The man was taken to Smithton Hospital in a stable condition for observation, while the woman was uninjured.
Police say initial investigations revealed the man was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the need to be prepared and vigilant when heading out on the water,” Parker said.
“Always check the weather conditions before heading out, ensure your safety equipment is in good working order and wear a life jacket at all times.”
He thanked the members of the public who assisted in the rescue.
“The willingness of people to volunteer their time and resources resulted in a very successful rescue to which we can only say thank you,” he said.
