Boat Capsized – 1km off Watcombe Beach, Penguin

At approximately 1315hrs on Saturday 19^th December 2015 a member of the public reported seeing a boat capsized approximately 1km off shore from Watcombe Beach, Penguin.

Police observed the vessel in the water. A flare was activated and police, assisted by members of the public and Penguin Surf Life Saving Club, travelled to the scene of the upturned vessel.

All vessels converged at the upturned boat at the same time and managed to successfully retrieve the four occupants of the boat. At that stage the upturned boat, a fourteen foot fibreglass twin hulled runabout was still semi submerged in the water.

All occupants were brought safely to shore and checked out by waiting ambulance officers with all being cleared of any injuries.

The successful rescue of the four occupants was due to both the timely response from emergency services and willingness of members of the public to assist police and also because the occupants were well prepared with the appropriate safety equipment which was in good working order.