LCDR Jeff Williams and his team on the remotely positioned patrol launch Malu Baizam have continued their tradition of saving lives at sea.

On November 16 they plucked four men from a disabled dinghy bobbing in rough seas in the Torres Strait.

That day the police launch based at Thursday Island, the W Conroy went to the aid of a disabled yacht off Booby Island.

Soon afterwards an EPIRB (distress beacon) was activated.

Satellites put the vessel carrying the device in the northern Torres Strait.

LCDR Williams was asked to put to sea to locate the EPIRB and to render assistance.

Joined by ABBM Peter Horne, POMT Chris Shred and CPL Bert Lancaster he cast off and headed to a spot six nautical miles north-north-west of Thursday Island.

On the way the RAN boat passed the Conroy returning with the yacht in tow.

The sailors and soldier found four men sitting in a rocking dinghy, asked if they had activated an EPIRB, received a "yes" and then brought them into the RAN boat.

The four were relieved at being rescued and were given blankets, coffee and pizza.

The dinghy was taken in tow and all returned to Thursday Island.

Police were very happy with the results saying it was re-assuring to know the backup from the RAN was there if needed.

The rescue of the four was the latest in a series of sea rescues done by the Thursday Island RAN team.

Earlier this year the team rescued nearly a dozen tourists from an upturned catamaran.