Australia: Stranded fishermen use cooler as life jacket, a rescue helicopter approaching them

Three fishermen were saved after their boat experienced engine trouble and filled with water.

The emergency beacon that they activated alerted the maritime authorities who sent a rescue plane to rescue them.

Thankfully the trio had an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon). The battery-powered device transmitted a continuous distress call which the Australia Maritime Safety Authority picked up around 1 p.m.

The fishermen had no other communication with authorities or other boats, so they just waited and hoped someone would find them.

The trio was fishing about 10 miles off the coast of Albany when their boat started taking on water.

The video shows a rescue helicopter approach the men, who had huddled together for warmth and clung to the blue cooler. One fisherman is trying to flag down the aircraft while clutching the EPIRB. Ocean swells tower over their heads.

Officials rescued the three men and none suffered serious injuries.