Portland police Acting Sergeant Ash Rawlings said PolAir, the police air wing unit, assisted in the marine rescue operation.

“About 9.45am two vessels, about 12 to 16 nautical miles off Cape Bridgewater put on the distress signal,” he said.

“They were struck by a large wave. One vessel was okay, but they lost sight of the second vessel, which triggered the rescue. The water police, PolAir and Portland Coast Guard worked together and we made contact with the boat by mobile phone about midday.”

The boat was able to safely return to shore.

Its three occupants from Melbourne were unharmed.