Six southern Tasmanian men aged between 30 and 54 were rescued from Schouten Island near Coles Bay this morning after their boat was swamped in heavy seas yesterday afternoon.

The men departed Coles Bay boat ramp in a 20 foot aluminium power craft, about 1:30pm on Monday 6 June 2016, intent on surfing a reef break off Schouten Island. As they approached the island their boat was swamped by a wave, rendering the craft powerless. The men managed to guide the craft into the shore, where they spent the night awaiting rescue.

Police were advised of a concern for the men’s welfare later that evening, sparking a search and rescue operation. A significant number of police resources were mobilised, and the Police Vessel (PV)‘Relentless’ was launched at Coles Bay in the early hours of this morning.

Just before 6:30am the crew of the PV Relentless spotted a torchlight on Morey’s beach at Schouten Island, before rescuing the men and returning them to waiting family and friends in Coles Bay.

Inspector Doug Rossiter, officer in charge of South East Division was relieved the men had been found safe and well but took the opportunity to urge people to heed emergency warnings and not take unnecessary risks in the current weather conditions, remarking that: “These men were very lucky. In these conditions there could have been a very different and tragic outcome.”

Latrobe Search

In a tragic turn of events, police have recovered the body of an elderly woman from her home in Shale Road, Latrobe. The deceased woman was 75 year old Mary Kathleen Allford.

Police search and rescue officers had to wait until floodwaters allowed the property to be safely searched. The woman’s husband was airlifted from the roof of the property on Monday.

Ouse Search

Tasmania Police continue to hold grave concerns for the missing man who was swept away in flood waters from his property in Ouse around 8am yesterday morning.

The search and rescue operation to locate the missing man re-commenced around 8am at Ouse. Police are utilising police search and rescue specialists, marine police and SES staff and volunteers.

The flood waters surrounding the property where the man was swept away have started to abate, however the area is still significantly affected by flood waters.

Evandale Search

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and land based searchers, are looking for a man who was caught in floodwaters near Evandale overnight.

The man, and his female companion, were delivering newspapers when their vehicle became engulfed by floodwaters. The woman was rescued earlier this morning by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.