Northern Territory Police were alerted to two separate incidents of fishermen missing over the weekend; however both parties have now been located.
An 18-year-old sole fisherman who was overdue from his trip was reported to Police at 08:30 pm last night.
The man left Leeders Creek in a 4.5 metre boat at approximately 10.30 am yesterday morning and headed to the Vernon Islands, but failed to return by the time he had specified to the staff at the boat ramp.
Northern Territory Police and Emergency Services began air and sea searches at first daylight this morning, and successfully located the man at the mouth of Leeders Creek at 07:00 am.
The man had run out of petrol the previous evening.
Police assisted the man back to the Leeders Creek boat ramp. The 18-year-old was in good health.
In a separate incident, two men aged 37 and 50 years-of-age and a 12-year-old child were also reported to Police as being overdue from a fishing trip.
The men and boy were fishing at the Victoria River in their 4.9 metre boat when they allegedly got stuck on a sand bank for a period of 12 to 15 hours.
The party managed to free their boat and return to the boat ramp early this morning.
Northern Territory Water Police Senior Sergeant, Stephen Martin, said that it is very important to ensure that someone knows your plans if you are heading out onto the water.
"The marine environment in the Northern Territory can be very unpredictable, as can the weather at this time of year, which is why it is crucial to inform someone where you are headed and when you are expecting to return.
"Make sure you carry the correct safety gear, carry plenty of water and sufficient food, and have a good communications plan.
"When people do the right thing and run into trouble, their odds of being safely recovered in a short period of time are significantly increased.
"Search and Rescue missions should be taken seriously as they are very costly to taxpayers every year.
"Ultimately, we want people to stay safe in and around the water," Senior Sergeant Martin said.
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