Two divers have been found safe and well after spending 20 frightening hours drifting in waters off the Gold Coast.
The 43-year-old Robina man and a 45-year-old Victoria Point man went diving in waters off North Stradbroke Island on Saturday morning.
However, the pair failed to return to their boat at the expected time before the alarm was raised.
A large-scale search was launched featuring Brisbane Water Police, police divers, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Marine Rescue Queensland, Coast Life Guard and Surf Lifesaving Queensland.
Image: Supplied
The search was suspended late on Saturday with no sign of the men before resuming on Sunday morning.
Around 7am on Sunday, an AMSA aircraft spotted the two men about 2.2 nautical miles east of Main Beach.
Strong currents had seen the pair drift around 14 nautical miles south of their original location.
A life raft was dropped to the men as Water Police made their way to the scene.
“Boy, are we glad to see you guys,” one of the men told officers.
“Likewise, guys, likewise,” one of the officers responded.
The men’s diving suits are being credited with helping them survive being in the water for so long.
The pair was then airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and taken to a park in Southport.
“You could see the weight come off their shoulders, and go ‘oh, thank god you’re here,” Rescue crew officer Alex Carroll told Nine.
“Obviously, my first question was ‘how did you end up here?”
They were then transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital to be checked over.
The men have since been returned home.
