- Nelson Chan, 47, and son Josh, 17, are missing
- It is feared that the pair have been swept off the rocks
A desperate search for a father and son believed to be missing at sea after they disappeared during a fishing trip has been called off as there is no hope of finding the pair alive.
Nelson Chan, 47, and his son Joshua, 17, went missing on Monday while fishing for squid in Storm Bay, on the southern side of Kiama Blowhole.
They left their home in Liverpool, in Sydney’s west, at 3pm and were due to arrive home at midnight.
But when they didn’t return, Clarissa Chan became worried about her husband and son and called 0.
She has spent the past three days on the cliff watching rescuers search for her loved ones.
“We have been married for 19 years,” Mrs. Chan said The Mercury on Thursday, with tears streaming down her face.
Missing Josh (left) and Nelson Chan are seen in the photo
Father and son disappeared while fishing in Stormy Bay near Kiama (photo)
A lifeboat can be seen on Tuesday during the search for father and son
Ms Chan said the couple, who regularly fish in the area, arrived in Kiama at 5pm and last had contact with their family at 5.20pm.
They were last seen by a passer-by at 5:30 p.m. and authorities fear they may have been washed off the rocks by a huge wave shortly afterwards.
A large-scale search covered more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) of coastline, with rescue workers on jet skis, police divers and lifeboats scouring the waters.
Meanwhile, SES volunteers have been combing the headland, while helicopters have been assisting from the air. The only items found by police so far have been a fishing rod embedded in the rocks and a mobile phone.
According to police, the two are good swimmers, but they were not wearing life jackets.
‘We are very concerned’ That’s what New South Wales Police Chief Craig Ireland said yesterday.
‘It does look like they were swept off the rocks. There was a big swell last night and a high tide when they were fishing.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and we will do our best to find them.’
On Thursday, New South Wales police confirmed the search had been called off after no further traces of the men had been found over the past three days.
“After an extensive search the operation was suspended at approximately 1.30pm today,” New South Wales police said.
‘Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.’
Clarissa Chan (pictured with her husband) has been in Kiama for the past three days keeping an eye on the searchers