Podcast
Hero at thirteen: The boy who saved his family lost at sea
13-year-old Austin relives the terrifying moment he, his mum and his siblings became lost at sea
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2 min read
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Media duration: 45minutesmins
Podcast
2 min readPodcast
13-year-old Austin relives the terrifying moment he, his mum and his siblings became lost at sea
Published
2 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
What began as a calm, final morning of a family holiday in Geographe Bay quickly became something far more serious for Austin Appelbee and his family.
In this episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast, Austin and his mum Joanne revisit the moment a simple paddleboarding trip turned into a fight to get back to shore, with Joanne and Austin, along with younger siblings (aged 12 & 8), stranded offshore as conditions shifted.
As the current pulled them further into the sea, Austin stepped up. What followed was no small effort - an exhausting, 4-hour-long journey back to the mainland, covering kilometres in open water before even reaching the shore, and then pushing on to the hotel where the family was staying to raise the alarm.
Joanne shares what it was like holding things together in an increasingly uncertain situation and keeping her children calm while the reality of their circumstances set in. It’s a perspective that highlights not just the challenge of the moment, but the strength it takes to stay composed when it matters most.
Also joining the episode is RAC Rescue Critical Care Paramedic Josh Lyons, who offers insights into the high-stakes search effort, and just how quickly situations like this can escalate. As it became darker, the crew employed night vision goggles and the aircraft’s Forward Looking Infrared camera which uses thermal imaging to detect heat sources.
It’s a powerful account of courage told by the people who lived it. Watch or listen to the full conversation on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
(0:00) The rescue at sea
(1:45) Introducing Austin, Joanne & Josh
(2:15) A last paddle before heading home from holiday
(5:51) How it all went wrong
(11:00) Josh on how fast ocean situations escalate
(16:45) Swept further out to sea
(19:48) The decision
(24:27) Austin sets off
(33:30) Knocked off and trapped under the kayak
(35:03) The swim
(44:45) Joanne keeping the younger kids calm through the night at sea
(48:45) Austin reaches the shore
(53:51) The triple zero call and the information that guided the rescue
(1:06:30) The rescue
(1:10:00) Reunited
(1:14:30) Called a hero
(1:20:24) Lessons in ocean safety, life jackets & human resilience + wrap
