Overview
- Emergency crews responded after a locator beacon activated near Cape Bowling Green at about 6:30am.
- A QGAir helicopter found three women, two men and a blue heeler named Sooky in the water, winched them aboard and flew them to Townsville around 7:30am.
- Paramedics assessed the group — two 45-year-old women, a 28-year-old woman, a 50-year-old man and a 41-year-old man — and reported all in good health, with the puppy in good spirits.
- Townsville Water Police said the 7-metre vessel had filled with water and was significantly damaged.
- It is understood the group had left a larger vessel anchored nearby to head toward Magnetic Island and were in the water for nearly an hour before rescue.