Five people and a puppy rescued after boat sinks near Cape Bowling Green

3 hours agoThu 4 Dec 2025 at 5:54am

In short:

Five people and a puppy have been choppered to safety after their boat sank in Queensland.

Townsville Water Police says an emergency beacon is likely to have saved their lives.

All involved escaped injury and the dog is in "good spirits".

Five people and a puppy are safe after a dramatic rescue from a sinking boat off the north Queensland coast.

Emergency crews responded to a beacon activated near Cape Bowling Green, off the coast of Ayr, about 6:30am on Thursday.

A Queensland Government Air (QGAir) rescue helicopter arrived to find three women, two men and a blue heeler puppy called Sooky in the water.

All were winched from the water into the helicopter and taken to Townsville about 7:30am.

Paramedics assessed two 45-year-old women, a 28-year-old woman, a 50-year-old man, a 41-year-old man and the puppy.

All were in good health.

Townsville Water Police officer in charge Matthew Pegg said the boat had filled with water.

"They were pretty relieved when the helicopter was overhead," Sergeant Pegg said.

"It was quite rough and the water was dirty and they were worried about other things that might have been in the water."

It is understood the group was in the water for nearly an hour.

They are believed to have left a larger ship anchored nearby to travel towards Magnetic Island in the 7-metre boat that morning.

Police said the boat was significantly damaged.

Sergeant Pegg said Sooky was in "good spirits" and had a nap in the back of the police car on the way home to Townsville.

He said the incident was a reminder for people to take an emergency beacon with them on the water.

"It has probably saved their lives," he said.

"If you're boating this summer, make sure your vessel has the correct safety equipment."