Divers spend 24 hours floating at sea after drifting away from boat

Dan Fitzgerald and Stu Fillman’s diving suits are credited with helping keep them alive.

The rescue they undoubtedly thought would never happen was caught on camera.

They spent all day and all night in the deep blue, four kilometers from land.

They had no life raft, only each other, until they were spotted from the air this morning.

“They were happy to see me, you could see the weight was lifted off their shoulders and they said, ‘Thank God you’re here,’” said Rescue Squad Officer Alex Carroll.

The men, aged 43 and 45, were diving at Flat Rock, north of Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, when strong currents pulled them away from their boat.

The people on board raised the alarm yesterday morning when they did not return, prompting a multi-agency search for the experienced divers.

Nearly 24 hours later, they were airlifted to safety by the Westpac Surf Live Saving helicopter in remarkably good spirits and condition.

It is said that their dry suits keep them warm.

Fitzgerald said he spent time with family after scaring them, while Fillman sent a message to those who saved them.

“Thank you to our emergency response teams in aircraft, on water or on land for bringing this to a happy ending,” he said.

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