LATE last month the Australian Maritime Safety Authority assisted Queensland Water Police in a search for an overdue dinghy with one person on board between Getullia Island and Sue Island in the Torres Strait.
The search commenced at 2200 on 20 December after the Queensland Water Police contacted AMSA for assistance.
The dinghy departed Getullai Island that day and failed to arrive at their destination by the expected time.
AMSA tasked the Cairns-based Challenger Rescue Aircraft to conduct a search over the night; however the vessel was not located.
The aircraft resumed the search the following morning, along with a rescue helicopter and police vessel.
About 1130 on 21 December, the upturned dinghy was located in the water and following a short aerial search the missing person was found about two kilometres from the dinghy clinging to some flotsam.
The person was winched to safety and taken to Thursday Island to receive medical assistance.
AMSA thanked the crew of RESCUE700 helicopter and the Queensland Water Police for their assistance and wished the survivor a speedy recovery.
