Marine Rescue is involved in a search for a missing fisherman after his boat was found off Port Kembla. Photo: Marine Rescue NSW.
A fisherman remains missing after his 6-metre boat was found off Port Kembla in the early hours of Wednesday (13 August).
A multiagency search is underway for the 35-year-old man, who was reported missing on Tuesday evening (12 August).
Sutherland Police were called to a boat ramp near Port Hacking Road, Dolans Bay, after concerns were raised for a man who had not returned after going fishing about 9 am.
Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) started searching for the man.
According to NSW Police, the AMSA Challenger jet located the boat 15 nautical miles off Port Kembla about 12:15 am on Wednesday.
Botany Water Police recovered the boat, however, there was no sign of the man.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said volunteers were deployed on board Shellharbour 30 and Shoalhaven 30 and began searching at 8:30 am on Wednesday.
“Both Marine Rescue NSW vessels are conducting a parallel line search along with a NSW Water Police boat,” he said.
“The search area extends from 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Port Kembla seaward.
“Conditions are favourable for an offshore search this morning.
“Both Marine Rescue NSW vessels and crews will continue searching until instructed otherwise by Marine Area Command.”
More to come.
