A captain and two crew members from a Port Phillip Sea Pilot launch have escaped injury after their boat ran aground and was “completely destroyed” 400 metres offshore from Point Lonsdale.

The trio were rescued two hours later when they were found standing on rocks at about 1.30am.

Inspector James Dalton from Water Police Search and Rescue says the conditions were “very challenging” and the 17-metre vessel has been “completely destroyed”.

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