Frantic search for missing fisherman after his empty boat was spotted drifting off the NSW coast
An urgent search is underway for a missing fisherman after his unmanned boat was spotted floating in the waters off the south-west south coast.
The empty fishing boat was spotted off the Illawarra coast about 6.40pm on Friday and emergency services were called to Windang Island near Warilla.
Police were told a man in his 60s had been on the 4-metre aluminum Quintrex boat with his car and empty boat trailer, found in the Port Kembla boat ramp car park.
A multi-agency search involving police, Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and PolAir searched for the man until 1am on Saturday.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said conditions were challenging and search efforts would resume at 8am.
“Volunteers on board vessels will conduct a search from Flagstaff Point to Bass Point and return to their bases later today,” Inspector Massey said.
The empty fishing boat (pictured) was spotted off the Illawarra coast about 6.40pm on Friday and emergency services were called to Windang Island near Warilla.