A VICTORIAN couple rescued after their yacht ran aground off Flinders Island yesterday "did everything right,'' said Tasmania Police marine search and rescue Sergeant Josh Peach.
Warranwood couple Bruce and Sharon Rodwell activated their EPIRB at 4am yesterday after their 40 foot yacht dragged its anchor in rough seas and blew on to the south side of East Kangaroo Island.
Sergeant Peach said the pair were experienced and very well equipped.
``I wouldn't like to say this was any fault of theirs,'' he said.
``They activated their EPIRB and tried to correct the situation,'' he said.
``They then grabbed some things including a satellite phone, jumped into the water _ they were wearing the correct thermal gear _ and waded ashore.''
Sergeant Peach said police received the call at 4.30am and landed the rescue helicopter on the island at 7.10am.
``The conditions were very rough _ in Bass Strait. It was four to five metre swells, with winds gusting up to 40 and 50 knots,'' he said.
The couple suffered from mild hypothermia and were transported to Whitemark Medical Centre.
Sergeant Peach said the seas remained too rough yesterday for the boat to be salvaged and the couple planned to stay on Flinders Island until it could be retrieved.
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