A woman who can't swim has vowed never to sail again after spending hours clinging to the hull of a capsized catamaran off the Queensland coast while the skipper swam through rough seas to get help.
Tasha Irvine and a skipper friend - both in their 50s - were aboard the 14-foot boat when it flipped about 1pm on Sunday off the coast of Hervey Bay.
Ms Irvine clung to the hull for nearly two hours as strong winds blew it further offshore while the male skipper swam at least one kilometre to get help.
Volunteer Marine Rescue crews found the woman clinging to the upturned vessel about 2.55pm, and she was treated for dehydration.
Commodore John Smith from the Volunteer Marine Rescue said about 10 people helped rescue the shocked woman and drag the craft back to shore.
Ms Irvine thanked the crew who rescued her on Facebook.
"I am alive today because of your awesome efforts," she wrote.
"Suffice it to say my boating days are over, even as a passenger, but again thank you all so very, very much."
The rescue boat also towed the boat back to the Gatakers boat ramp where the vessel was righted.
