Missing Australian Fishermen Found Alive After Four Days Lost At Sea

Two fishermen who went missing off the South Australian coast almost a week ago have been found alive.

A massive search effort had been sparked after the pair vanished in their 30-foot wooden hulled fishing boat during a trip to Goolwa, from Coffin Bay near Port Lincoln, last Thursday (September 3).

Concern was raised when they had not been heard from since Friday, after they reported propeller trouble and advised they were going to divert to Kangaroo Island.

When no word had been heard from the boaties, the alarm was raised on Sunday, and a huge search was launched.

According to SA Police, with the assistance of aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Royal Australian Air Force and Kangaroo Island and Volunteer Marine Rescue the total search area has covered more than 103,000 square kilometres.

However, on Wednesday night (September 9) night the aerial search was called off after rescuers failed to find any sign of the men.

Miraculously, just hours later a call came through informing the rescue team the men had managed to raise the alarm.

They had somehow managed to contact their families and Victor Harbour police station to tell them they were still alive.

SA Police Senior Constable Matt Brown said the men were 'in good spirits and not injured'.

"[We're] still trying to work out [with the men] what happened," he said.

The details come after news that Japan has called off the search for survivors of the missing live export ship.

The Gulf Livestock 1 sunk last week after if was caught in massive waters from Typhoon Maysak.

There are still 40 missing sailors - including two Australians - who are unaccounted for on the vessel which is feared to have sunk off the country's south-west.

Topics: Australia

Delicia Smith