By YASEMIN TALAT
WILLIAMSTOWN Police were at the height of a search and rescue search to find three missing people in the waters of Sandy Point last Monday.
A couple, together with their 16-month-old daughter, were found safe and dry after police launched an air and water search when the trio failed to return from a Sandy Point fishing trip.
The family launched from Sandy Point for fishing in Shallow’s Inlet on Monday after noon at about 2pm.
A family member raised the alarm later that night, at around 11pm, when the family failed to return home as expected.
The Police Airwing assisted by local police, water police, and SES and local surf club volunteers immediately responded to the call.
The family were found beached on the bank of the inlet safe and well two hours later.
The couple did not have a mobile phone with them or any other communication devices on board the 3.5 metre tinny.
Water Police Sergeant Andrew Lilly was relieved the family were found safe but was concerned at their lack of preparedness.
“They managed to get a campfire going to stay safe and warm, obviously that helped us locate them,” he said.
“They did all the right things in the circumstances, it’s just we would encourage better preparation for your trip,” he said.
“The information we had was that they didn’t have provision for overnight stay and there were medical concerns, so we were at a state of heightened risk straight away.
“We deployed every asset we could possibly find to resolve the situation very quickly.”
Sgt Lilly said the family may have encountered dangers if they had stayed any longer.
Acting Senior Sergeant Alistair Nisbet reminded those people who were off boating to make sure their boats and equipment were in good working order.
“If you are going out, let family and friends know what your plans are and maintain communications with them. Also watch the weather forecasts and try to familiarise yourself with the area, if you don’t know the area ask,” Sgt Nisbet said.
“Things can turn pear-shaped pretty quickly out in the water, so we implore that you do wear a life jacket if you can, just for your own safety.”
Water Police will continue to conduct summer operations, which include audits of safety equipment on water vessels and targeting speed and bad behaviour in the bay.
