UPDATED: Search for missing fishermen suspended after three days

UPDATED 4.43 pm 22 August: Police have suspended the search for a missing father and son after three days.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the multi-agency search of waters of Kiama was called off at 1.30 pm on Thursday 22 August.

“Officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command received reports of a concern for welfare for a father and son, aged 47 and 17, around 3am on Tuesday 20 August 2024,” the NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Police were told the pair failed to return to their southwestern Sydney home, after a day of fishing at Storm Bay, south of Kiama Harbour.

“The search involved officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW.

“Following an extensive search, the operation was suspended on Thursday 22 August 2024 about 1.30pm.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

UPDATED 3:57 pm 21 August: Emergency services have called a close to the second day of a search for a missing father and son.

The pair were reported missing after they failed to return from a fishing trip in Kiama on Monday evening.

Emergency services have searched the waters off Kiama for two days running, but are yet to find a sign of the pair.

A NSW Marine Rescue spokesperson said the search, under the authority of Marine Police, would resume on Thursday morning.

UPDATED 8:28 am, 21 August: The search off Kiama for a father and son who failed to return from a fishing trip on Monday evening has entered its second day.

Emergency services including Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW were on the water from 7am.

Marine Rescue NSW Illawarra Inspector Stuart Massey said crews from the different services were working together..

“Marine Rescue NSW vessels Shellharbour 30 and Jervis Bay 41 are conducting a parallel line search on waters just south of Kiama,” he said.

“The crews are following search patterns designated by NSW Police Marine Area Command.”

UPDATED 10:46 am: Superintendent Craig Ireland has told waiting media that the missing fishermen were familiar with the area and had previously fished there. He said “everyone available” had joined the search effort, including PolAir and the Westpac Rescue helicopter, and would continue the search as long as conditions permitted. The father and son last had contact with family members at about 5:20 pm on Monday (19 August). Supt Ireland confirmed neither men were wearing lifejackets. “We have grave concerns for their safety,” he said.

UPDATE 9:57 am: NSW Police has issued a statement about the search for two rock fishers off Kiama.

“At about 3 am on Tuesday (20 August), officers attached to Liverpool City Police Area Command received reports of concern for the welfare of a father and son, aged 47 and 17,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Police were told the pair failed to return to their southwestern Sydney home, after a day of fishing at Storm Bay, south of Kiama Harbour.

“The search involves officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW.”

8:45 am: A search is underway for two rock fishers believed to be missing off Kiama.

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Port Kembla and NSW Water Police began the search early this morning (20 August).

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said Port Kembla 31 was deployed at 7:30 am.

“The Marine Rescue NSW crew on board PK 31 will assist Port Kembla Water Police with a coastal contour search in waters off Kiama Blowhole after the two people reportedly failed to return from a fishing trip early last night,” he said.

“The Marine Rescue Port Kembla crew has just joined the search under the direction of NSW Police Marine Area Command.

“Sea conditions off Kiama are fair this morning.”

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.

More to come.