THE CITY OF ALBANY, Western Australia – After their boat capsized on Wednesday in the turbulent Indian Ocean, three guys clung to a floating ice chest to keep their heads above water and to stay together.
Their boat began taking on water approximately 10 miles off the coast of Albany while they were fishing. The men were compelled to grab life vests as the ship sank beneath the surface.
According to SeaTemperature.info, the seas were nearly 7 feet tall. Over two hours, the fully clad fishermen floated in 68-degree water. According to the CDC, water dissipates heat from the body 25 times faster than air. Within two to seven hours, fatigue or unconsciousness can develop.
Fortunately, the group had an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon). The battery-powered device continuously relayed a distress signal, which the Australia Maritime Safety Authority picked up at 1 p.m.
The fishermen had no other means of communication with authorities or other vessels, so they simply waited and hoped for rescue.
The footage depicts a rescue chopper approaching the men, who had huddled for warmth and were clinging to the blue cooler. One fisherman is waving the EPIRB to attract the attention of the airplane. The waves of the ocean tower over their heads.
The three guys were rescued by authorities, and none sustained major injuries.
In a statement, the AMSA emphasized the significance of using life jackets and a registered emergency beacon while boating.
»Fishermen clutch to a cooler after their boat capsizes off the coast of Australia«