A Darwin man is lucky to be alive after he fell from his vessel while fishing at Middle Arm in Darwin Harbour earlier today.

The 56-year-old man was fishing by himself when the anchor from his boat became stuck on the rocky bottom.

When the man attempted to drive the boat forward to free the anchor it became tangled in the propeller of the outboard motor.

While trying to free the rope from the propeller, the boat was swamped by the strong current and waves coming over the bow and it started to sink.

Police were alerted to the situation by two fishermen who located the upturned vessel and a search and rescue response was co-ordinated.

Police dispatched aircraft, vehicles and vessels to look for the man who had swam a considerable distance to shore prior to making his way to the Channel Island Power Station on foot and notifying the authorities of his location.

Police said the man was carrying all of his safety gear but did not have time to grab any of it.

Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Hocking said “This incident really highlights the need for people not only to carry the correct safety equipment but to have it readily available. This man almost died because he was fishing alone and wasn’t wearing his lifejacket”.

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