Five rescued from seas off Queensland

Five people have been plucked from Queensland waters in two separate rescues.

The first came in the early hours of Thursday when a distress beacon was detected coming from a boat near Lady Musgrave Island.

Two people spotted in the water by helicopter crews were taken to Rockhampton Hospital for medical checks.

Authorities say their six-metre motorboat sank.

The second rescue came about three hours later when three people were pulled from seas near North Keppel Island.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says both emergencies prove the importance of having a working distress beacon on board.