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Cool box saves Australian fishermen Cool box saves Australian fishermen
(35 minutes later)
Two Australian men on a fishing trip spent 15 hours clinging to a cool box in the sea after their boat capsized off New South Wales.Two Australian men on a fishing trip spent 15 hours clinging to a cool box in the sea after their boat capsized off New South Wales.
They called emergency services when their cabin cruiser got into trouble on Friday and they were forced to abandon the vessel off Ballina.They called emergency services when their cabin cruiser got into trouble on Friday and they were forced to abandon the vessel off Ballina.
A search was suspended after darkness fell but resumed on Saturday morning.A search was suspended after darkness fell but resumed on Saturday morning.
The men, in life jackets, were found clutching the box near the upturned boat some 13 km (miles) off the coast.The men, in life jackets, were found clutching the box near the upturned boat some 13 km (miles) off the coast.
"They were pretty exhausted. I didn't get too much of a hand getting them into their seats, which is to be expected, they've been out all night," rescuer Jethro Lampe said after the men - work colleagues - were winched to safety."They were pretty exhausted. I didn't get too much of a hand getting them into their seats, which is to be expected, they've been out all night," rescuer Jethro Lampe said after the men - work colleagues - were winched to safety.
After being flown by helicopter to the coast, they were taken to hospital for medical checks.After being flown by helicopter to the coast, they were taken to hospital for medical checks.
Skipper Paul Maher, 25, and John Lynch, 34, were celebrating the last day of work before the Christmas break with a fishing expedition, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.Skipper Paul Maher, 25, and John Lynch, 34, were celebrating the last day of work before the Christmas break with a fishing expedition, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The boat began taking on water through a hole which had been repaired.The boat began taking on water through a hole which had been repaired.
The Australian air force, coastguard and local residents were involved in the rescue effort.The Australian air force, coastguard and local residents were involved in the rescue effort.
Two fishermen were rescued on Saturday after spending 15 hours clinging to a cooler in the ocean after their boat sank off the state of New South Wales, Australian media reported.
The workmates, aged 25 and 34, issued a mayday call and were forced to abandon their sinking cabin cruiser off Ballina on the New South Wales north coast, on Friday afternoon.
A search involving emergency services, the Royal Australian Air Force and locals, continued until late on Friday night.
When the search resumed on Saturday morning, a helicopter spotted the upturned 18-foot cabin cruiser 13 kilometres (8 miles) off Yamba, in northern New South Wales.
One of the rescuers, Jethro Lampe, said the men were located a short distance away from the boat, wearing lifejackets and clinging to the large white cooler.
The rescue team winched the men individually to safety.
Police say the men had only recently received their boat licenses, but took necessary precautions.
The men have been taken to hospital for medical treatment.