Boatie clings to beacon as boat with dog aboard washes up on Bribie Island

A man was found clinging to a marine beacon overnight after a 17-metre boat ran aground on a Sunshine Coast beach on Tuesday, with only a dog aboard, sparking an air and sea search.

Emergency services were called to the vessel about 4.30pm after lifeguards found the boat, with the motor still running, had run aground on the northern tip of Bribie Island off Caloundra.

Sunshine Coast lifeguard supervisor Rhys Drury said lifeguards at a nearby beach noticed the boat about 30 minutes earlier and went to investigate.

Only a dog was found on board, triggering a search and rescue operation involving water police, surf lifesavers, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue and Coast Guard.