Two people have been saved after a dramatic rescue in dark and stormy weather off Rottnest Island on Thursday night.

Water Police originally couldn’t get close enough to the pair’s yacht due to rough conditions after it hit rocks off Thompson Bay just after 8pm but their vessel swung around soon after a change in conditions .

Inspector Steve Scott, from the WA Police Emergency Management and Specialist Support Division, said Water Police dispatched two vessels to help save the man and his 11-year-old son.

“It looks like the water was quite rough, so it wouldn’t have been quite pleasant out there,” he said.

“It was quite challenging out there. Luckily our newly-acquired jet boat allowed us to get much closer to the vessel and the reef, and ultimately affect that rescue.”

Press PLAY to hear more on how the rescue unfolded