Water Police put out warning and wave of boat dramas sparks reminder on distress signal

Water Police have warned boaties to always carry an emergency radio after another vessel capsized, adding to a recent string of boating emergencies off the coast of Perth.

Emergency services were called out to Staggie’s Reef, 4.5km west of Mindarie, about 8.30am on Saturday after reports a 5.3m boat carrying two fishermen had overturned.

The men, aged in their 30s and 70s, had been retrieving cray pots when a wave capsized their boat.

It prompted them to activate their EPIRB — a life-saving essential they had only bought in the past week.

The pair were in the water for up to 30 minutes before being rescued by a private vessel who had heard their distress calls via emergency radio.

Water Police and an RAC Rescue helicopter were called to the scene, with both men transferred to a Department of Fire and Emergency Services rescue vessel.

They were returned to shore uninjured.

Water Police sergeant Brad Bell emphasised the importance of EPIRBs and commended the private vessel for its rescue efforts.

“These people had just purchased their EPIRB and registered the EPIRB four days prior,” he said.

“Because of that, they were able to be identified really quickly and the rescue assets were sent to the location.”

The latest drama comes just days after an elderly man died at the water’s edge, after his boat capsized off the coast of Jindalee.

The 70-year-old had been retrieving cray pots on Tuesday when he was thrown into the water.

And on Monday evening, emergency services were called to Mindarie Marina after a 5.5m half-cabin boat flipped.

Three men aboard — two men in their 50s and one in his 20s — were forced to sit on the hull of the overturned boat after they activated an EPIRB.

Earlier on Monday, a 21m yacht caught fire off Cottesloe Beach.

Two men aboard were taken safely back to Fremantle.