After receiving a call from the vessels satellite phone, a friend of the couple contacted police at around 10:30 am yesterday.

It was reported that the two had set off for the Kimberly coast on their 10.5 metre yacht, however experienced rough conditions on the water, causing the mast boom to break approximately 75km's west of Point Blaze.

Water Police utilised the Police Patrol Vessel 'Beagle Gulf' and attended the scene, locating them at sea at approximately 7:30 pm last night.

The vessel was towed back to the Cullen Bay Marina, arriving at 6:30 am this morning.

Senior Sergeant Stephen Martin said that it was a long round trip.

"The occupants of the vessel did the right thing by contacting their friend. They turned back toward the NT Coast using the inbuilt auxiliary motor however due to the high seas and southerly winds, they weren't getting very far. The conditions in that part of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf were rough and the two people on board the vessel were fatigued and sea-sick as a result of their ordeal, and we were quite concerned for their welfare" Senior Sergeant Martin said.

"Thankfully, we managed a successful rendezvous off the coast and it was a happy ending, as other than being tired and slightly seasick, they were both found safe and well.

"This again highlights just how important safety and communications equipment on all vessels can be when you get into difficult situations".



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