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Karratha coast search: Police divers and drones deployed to area of boat crash to find missing man

Lauren Price The West Australian
Vessels from Dampier and Port Walcott’s DFES Marine Rescue units have also coordinated search efforts. 
Camera IconVessels from Dampier and Port Walcott’s DFES Marine Rescue units have also coordinated search efforts.  Credit: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian

The desperate search for a man who is missing after his boat crashed off the Dampier coast has recommenced, with police divers deployed to the area.

It is believed the boat hit a mooring at speed and sank at the southern end of West Lewis Island at about 11pm on Saturday.

Two men in their 20s were on board when the boat crashed.

One man managed to swim to safety, while the other man remains missing.

The upturned vessel has been located submerged off Enderby Island and police on Monday are ramping up the search, with drones and divers deployed to the area where the vessel was found.

Vessels from Dampier and Port Walcott’s DFES Marine Rescue units have also coordinated search efforts.

Police said the man who made it to shore walked across rocks for several hours to where other members of his group were camping.

He was found at about 6am on Sunday morning by friends.

A ‘PAN-PAN’ request for emergency support was sent with nearby commercial and recreational vessels responding to help in the search.

Two locally-based helicopters and a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development vessel are also assisting.

The boat involved in the accident is due to be recovered on Monday.

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