Early Sunday morning, NT Police Search and Rescue Section (SRS) was deployed following an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from an unregistered vessel west of Tiwi Islands.

Around 3:45am, the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) alerted NT Police and immediately dispatched rotor and fixed-wing assets to the area.

The recreational fishing vessel in distress was located with four individuals onboard. However, it was reported that the fifth occupant had fallen overboard hours earlier without a lifejacket.

A coordinated search of the area followed, with the missing person being located by CareFlight on the shore of Cape Fourcroy.

The man was conveyed to the Royal Darwin Hospital by CareFlight for treatment having suffered moderate dehydration and fatigue after swimming some distance to make it to the shore.

Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said, “A missing person in the water without a lifejacket is a time critical and life-threatening situation.

“A successful outcome was only achieved through the collaborative efforts of responding Search and Rescue agencies and the apparent physical fitness of the individual who fell overboard.

“This is a timely reminder to ensure all water vessels are fitted with a registered EPIRB as they can be lifesaving.”