Two rescued after engine malfunction

Police, Ports Authority and Geraldton Volunteer Marine Sea Rescue last night rescued two men after an engine malfunction stranded their vessel two kilometres offshore.

The alert came about 8.45pm when an emergency radio beacon was activated by its 48-year-old owner and police were told he had failed to return from fishing with his friend.

The vessel, with the two men on board, was towed back to the Geraldton marina without further incident.

Police said they had to make inquiries about who was the registered owner of the emergency beacon before embarking on the rescue.

They urged all boat owners to ensure their beacons were correctly registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority at www.beacons.amsa.gov.au.