The mystery of the huge SOS sign made of rocks that was spotted in a remote region of the Kimberley has been solved.
When a helicopter pilot spotted the distress signal at Swift Bay recently, it prompted a search for missing person, with police unsure whether it was freshly constructed, old, or simply a hoax.
However, it now appears the sign was apparently put there by a marooned man and woman whose vessel was ‘attacked by crocodiles’ back in 2013. They were eventually rescued.
Dave Rudd, acting senior sergeant from Kalumburu police, said a man contacted authorities to say his brother – named Robert – was responsible for the sign.
“He indicated it was his brother Robert that left the SOS there,” Sgt Rudd told ABC News. “It was from 2013 and it was a legitimate SOS.”
The man told police that Robert had been stranded on a yacht in 2013.
“Without knowing the full details, because I haven’t been able to speak to him [Robert] yet, the man made it into a small evacuation vessel with another person, a woman,” Sgt Rudd said. “But it was attacked by crocodiles. They had some basic rations on them, and found some fresh water, and they survived there for several days. And at some stage, we’re not exactly sure when, another boat came along and rescued them, so they were quite lucky.”
Police said they had seen a photograph of the sign dating from 2013 but had yet to speak to Robert.
The man told police that Robert was sailing in the Mediterranean and was out of contact.
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This goes to show that the Kimberly or any other remote area in Australia is a deadly place to be. Survive crocodiles but not be discovered for four years.
It is imperative to carry some sort of remote area communication device outback, either a sat phone or epirb/personal locating beacon. It goes without saying that you must always let someone know where you are going.