Australian Federal Police (AFP) say "suspicious packages" have been found on board a vessel that capsized off Western Australia's south coast last week.
Key points:
- Three men were rescued from the vessel when it started sinking off Albany last week
- The abandoned vessel was discovered near Peaceful Bay yesterday
- Federal police have been joined by Australian Border Force in the investigation
The boat sank with three men on board off Eclipse Island near Albany on February 1, sparking a major marine rescue that gained national headlines when they were found floating in the Southern Ocean clinging to an esky.
The AFP told the ABC the packages were found on the capsized vessel when it was hauled to shore by a marine rescue group on Wednesday after it washed up in Peaceful Bay.
"The AFP can confirm it is investigating the discovery of suspicious packages found on a vessel in WA's Great Southern [region] yesterday," a spokesperson said.
The men had been fishing when their vessel capsized in heavy seas and started to sink.
The upturned vessel was discovered by fishers about 90 kilometres west of where it capsized.
The AFP spokesperson said Australian Border Force was also investigating.
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers or the AFP.
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