'Not the beer!': Fishermen clinging to esky have most Aussie response ever to rescue

A group of fishermen rescued off the WA coast after spending half an hour clinging to an esky were devastated they lost their stash of beer when the boat sank.

In bodycam footage from WA Water Police, the men can be heard saying "Oh no the other esky has the beer in it! This one is just ice and bait".

While this may be the most Aussie response ever to being rescued, it is the latest story about an esky being used as a floatation device and authorities are using it as a reminder about water safety.

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WA Police Senior Sergeant Grant Rosman told Today the men didn't get a chance to activate their EPIRB but thankfully managed to call a mate on their mobile who alerted authorities.

"The message is fairly simple, make sure that you have the safety equipment and know how to use it and access it in an emergency," Rosman told Today.

"From time to time we have had sharks and serious, fatal incidents in the past months - they are out there, so be mindful and be aware we are sharing our environment with them."

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Rosman said more people are venturing into the ocean and waterways since the pandemic and they don't have the experience in the conditions.

This is why it is more important than ever to heed safety warnings.

See what else Senior Sergeant Rosman had to say in the video above

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