Five people have been rescued after spending 36 hours in a broken-down four-metre tinny, west of Darwin.
Three adults and two teens left Pioneer Beach, about 25 kilometres from Darwin, aboard the boat on Tuesday afternoon and were reported missing later that night.
NT Police sent three boats, an aircraft and were supported by the Australian Defence Force and three private helicopters during the rescue.
The vessel was spotted by an ADF aircraft at 1 am Thursday morning in Bynoe Harbour after it broke down near Turtle Island, which is about 20 kilometres west of its starting position, according to the police.
The stranded passengers were rescued a short time later, but were all suffering from dehydration and exposure police said.
Thirty-six hours on the water is an ordeal, but all five are in good spirits, NT Police acting sergeant Christopher Raeburn said.
This positive outcome was the result of a number of different public and private agencies working together to share resources under the coordination of NT Police search and rescue.