In an extraordinary tale of survival, three individuals, including a child, were rescued after enduring 16 hours adrift in the ocean near Tasmania. Their boat had tragically sunk the previous evening, leaving them stranded at sea.

However, the search continues for a fourth person who remains unaccounted for. Police boats and helicopters are actively scouring the waters around Robbins Island in hopes of locating the missing man.

The group of four had embarked on a fishing expedition after departing from the Montagu campground in Tasmania’s north-west at approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday. When they failed to return, worried family members alerted authorities at around 8 a.m. the following morning.

A swift response followed, with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter dispatched to the scene. By 1 p.m., rescuers located two adults and a child floating in the waters of Robbins Passage, bringing relief to their anxious loved ones.

Authorities suspect that the vessel began to disintegrate around 9 p.m. the previous night, causing all four passengers to be cast into the ocean. As the search and rescue operation continues, hopes remain high for the safe recovery of the missing individual.

Police believe the boat they were in broke up at about 9pm last night, with all four to be thrown into the water.

They were not rescued for around 16 hours.

They were taken to North West Regional Hospital due to the amount of time they spent in the water, but police say they are otherwise uninjured.

The trio were wearing life jackets.

Tasmania Police said in a statement several boats, as well as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, were deployed in the search.

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