Two men were rescued after their fishing boat ran out of fuel in Darwin Harbour last night.

Police received a call just after 10pm advising the pair aged 20 and 23, had reported their 14 foot boat had developed a fuel leak and run out of fuel .

Police from the Marine and Fisheries unit mounted a search for the two men utilising the Police vessel 'Scorpion' and just after 6.30 am this morning the men were found safe and well near Weed Reef.

The Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra, The Royal Australian Navy, Darwin Coast Radio and Workboats Australia also assisted in the effort to locate the vessel.

In the meantime police had located the vehicle and trailer used by the pair at Larrakeyah boat ramp.

The 20-year-old man will be summonsed for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and towing an unregistered and uninsured trailer. He will also face charges for failing to carry safety equipment.

Superintendent Michael Murphy said the men had failed to utilise the most basic of safety measures.

"They had a marine radio on board but did not know how to operate it. They also had a mobile phone but after raising the alarm the phone ran out of battery power and they were not carrying flares or any other signaling equipment," Supt Murphy said.

"To make matters worse the boat had been towed with an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and trailer. If even the most basic precautions had been taken rescuers would not have had to utilise the resources they did during more than eight hours of searching.

"This is a timely reminder for all recreational water craft users to ensure they have the prescribed safety equipment and more importantly know how to operate it if required.

This equipment will save your life and assist any rescue efforts".


Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825