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Two Brisbane fishermen have been praised for their quick thinking after rescuing three men from dangerous waters off Moreton Bay on the weekend, with bull sharks circling nearby during the tense operation.
Sam Hortz and Robbie Angel were fishing in separate boats when they came across a capsized vessel with three men in the water. Video footage captured during the incident shows the severity of the situation, with one of the rescuers describing the scene as chaotic.
Angel was first to reach the distressed boaters and began pulling them from the water to safety. Meanwhile, Hortz attempted to salvage the capsized boat by securing it to his own vessel, but was forced to abandon the effort when the weight threatened to drag his boat under.
Photo Credit: Instagram / @firstdrop_fishing
During the rescue, several bull sharks were reportedly active in the area, with the predators breaching the water’s surface near the boats. The three rescued men were fortunate to escape unharmed.
Hortz noted that shark activity has been increasing in local fishing areas, making it difficult for anglers to land their catch. The rescued men have since contacted their saviours to express their gratitude.
The Moreton Bay incident occurred during a concerning period of shark activity along Australia’s east coast. Earlier in January, New South Wales experienced multiple shark encounters, including a fatal attack in Sydney Harbour on 18 January that claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, believed to have been caused by a bull shark.
The following day saw two separate incidents—an 11-year-old’s surfboard was bitten at Dee Why Point, and a 27-year-old surfer was injured at Manly Beach. A fourth incident occurred at Point Plomer Beach near Crescent Head on 20 January.
Maritime authorities have not issued specific warnings for Moreton Bay following the weekend rescue.
Published 27-January-2026
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