Teenager Swims Four Hours Through Rough Seas to Save Family Off Western Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (JN) – A family outing on Western Australia’s coast turned into a life-threatening ordeal when strong winds and heavy swell dragged a mother and her children far out to sea. What followed was an extraordinary act of endurance by a 13-year-old boy who swam for hours in deteriorating conditions to reach shore and raise the alarm.

The rescue, confirmed by police and family accounts, unfolded over much of Friday and into the evening. Authorities say the boy’s decision to abandon his kayak and swim several kilometers in open water ultimately enabled a search effort that located his mother and two younger siblings after nightfall.

The incident highlights both the unpredictability of coastal conditions in the region and the critical role of rapid response once an emergency is reported. It also underscores the rare but powerful impact of individual resolve in survival situations.

How the ordeal unfolded

The Appelbee family from Perth had been using kayaks and paddleboards near Quindalup, south of Perth, on Friday morning. Police said worsening ocean and wind conditions gradually pushed them farther from shore, leaving them unable to return.

Austin Appelbee, 13, initially tried to reach land in an inflatable kayak while wearing a life jacket. But as waves intensified and water filled the vessel, he abandoned it. He later discarded the life jacket as he began a long swim toward the coastline, believing it hindered his movement in the rough swell.

“The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. … I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming,’” Austin said on Tuesday. “And then I finally made it to shore and I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed.”

Police said Austin swam about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and reached land around 6 p.m., several hours after the family had first gone out before noon.

Australian boy swims to save family as conditions worsen

By the time Austin reached the beach and raised the alarm, the sun was lowering and conditions at sea were becoming more hazardous. A search operation was launched, including a helicopter that later located the rest of the family.

At about 8:30 p.m., authorities spotted Joanne Appelbee, 47, along with her 12-year-old son Beau and 8-year-old daughter Grace. Police said the trio had drifted roughly 14 kilometers (9 miles) from their starting point and had spent around 10 hours in the water.

Police Inspector James Bradley praised Austin’s actions, saying: “The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough — his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings.”

A difficult decision at sea

Joanne Appelbee said she made the decision to send her eldest child for help because she could not leave all three of her children stranded together.

“One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was to say to Austin: ‘Try and get to shore and get some help. This could get really serious really quickly,’” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

She said she initially felt confident he would make it but grew increasingly anxious as daylight faded and no help had arrived.

“We kept positive, we were singing and we were joking and … we were treating it as a bit of a game until the sun started to go down and that’s when it was getting very choppy. Very big waves,” she said.

When rescuers finally reached them, all three were shivering. Beau had lost sensation in his legs due to prolonged exposure to cold water, she said.

“I have three babies. All three made it. That was all that mattered,” Joanne said.

Survival in open water

Spending extended time in open ocean presents serious risks, including hypothermia, dehydration, exhaustion and disorientation. Even strong swimmers can struggle against currents and wind-driven swell, particularly without flotation devices.

Authorities did not indicate whether rip currents or offshore winds played a role, but coastal conditions along parts of Western Australia can change quickly, especially in exposed areas where wind and tide combine.

Austin later said he focused on staying mentally positive as he swam, concentrating on reaching shore rather than the distance remaining. His ability to maintain direction and endurance in cold, turbulent water was central to the outcome, police said.

Emergency response and outcome

Once the alarm was raised, emergency services coordinated an aerial search before nightfall. The helicopter crew’s sighting of the remaining family members in fading light was critical, authorities said.

The family was brought to safety later that evening. While shaken and cold, none suffered life-threatening injuries.

Police and local authorities used the incident to remind the public about checking weather and sea conditions before venturing onto open water, particularly when using small craft such as kayaks and paddleboards.

A family’s relief

In the days following the rescue, the family has expressed relief and gratitude toward emergency responders. Joanne described the emotional toll of waiting in the water as daylight disappeared, uncertain whether help would arrive in time.

For Austin, the experience has been described by officials as an act of exceptional courage rather than calculated heroism — a decision made under pressure to protect his family.

The event has resonated widely across Australia as an example of endurance, presence of mind, and the strength of family bonds under extreme conditions.