One of two South Australian fishermen found alive after spending almost a week lost at sea has been emotionally reunited with his loved ones, as he recounted the ordeal.
Derek Robinson, 48, and Tony Higgins, 57, were found on Thursday morning floating near Salt Creek, to the south-east of Goolwa, where they were initially heading a week ago.
They were reported missing on Sunday after reporting engine troubles to a friend two days earlier.
They had not been heard from since, sparking a major search by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and members of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The large-scale search was called off on Wednesday night but two hours later, the men made contact with police.
Derek Robbinson (left) and Tony Higgins (right) have safely returned home. Source: SA Police
Mr Robinson was greeted by family, friends and a crowd of reporters on Thursday as he stepped off onto land at Encounter Bay, saying he was feeling “very emotional” to be back.
“I knew I’d see my boys again but I just didn’t know when. I’m glad to be back and I’m on steady ground - but it just feels like my legs are wobbling all over the place,” he told reporters, as a beer was handed to him.
Mr Robinson said he had embarked on the journey for “personal reasons”, saying he “just wanted to get away”.
“What we thought at the time was that the propellor threw a blade, and we had to power right down because the more power we put to it, the more the boat vibrated, and we didn’t want to vibrate the boat apart."
"It was rough, it was rocky," Mr Robinson said of his days out at sea.
Fisherman Derek Robinson reacts after seeing his family on his to return at Encounter Bay, South Australia. Source: AAP
“I don’t think I felt scared - just isolated. It felt like the world didn’t exist, because we were out in the middle of nowhere.
“There was no signal, no service. You’d think they’d have service out there - technology and all. My phone was buggered the whole way through.”
Mr Robinson added there were scary moments, "like when you see big waves coming at you", but said there were "good fun, all part of the adventure".
Mr Robinson said there was safety equipment on board the vessel, but he was wearing his wetsuit most of the time regardless.
Fisherman Derek Robinson reacts after seeing his sons Ashley and Tim upon his return. Source: AAP
He also thanked the search teams that had been looking for him, saying he “appreciates the help”.
Towards the end of his interview, Mr Robinson was asked how much longer it might be before he gets back on a boat again.
“Maybe never,” he said with a laugh.
“Depends on where the adventure takes me.”
