Cockburn Sound: Emergency crews race to overturned dinghy near Naval Base Shacks, Perth after worrying reports

Emergency services are searching the water around Cockburn Sound in Perth’s Southern suburbs after a boat capsized and sunk.

A member of the public contacted police just after 7am on Tuesday after spotting an overturned dinghy about 1km offshore from the Naval Base beach shacks.

Police say the dinghy sank about 7.10am but it is still unknown whether there was anyone onboard when it flipped.

About midday a drone operator from the police emergency operations unit launched a drone from the Henderson Cliffs Lookout, and was seen flying the aircraft up and down a stretch of shoreline.

A water police vessel is also searching the area, while the Police helicopter circling above the water was forced to depart due to heavy smoke.

Police divers arrived in Henderson later on Tuesday afternoon and were seen searching Cockburn Sound for the sunken dinghy.

It was hoped their efforts will help identify the vessel and its owner.

State Emergency Services arrived a short time later and were witnessed combing the beach and scrub near Henderson Cliffs Lookout.

The minimum temperature in Cockburn on Tuesday was recorded at 15C degrees, with the temperature of the water in the area just above at 22C.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.