Media Release

Aerial search for three people off Kiama

Australian Search and Rescue is coordinating the aerial component of a search for three people who failed to return from a fishing trip off Kiama, south of Wollongong, yesterday.

Six fixed wing aircraft, including a Royal Australian Air Force Orion, and five helicopters are searching a 1500 square nautical mile area due east of Kiama.

The three people were reported overdue to the Police yesterday after failing to return from a fishing trip off Kiama in their 5.5 metre runabout.

The weather in the area yesterday was poor with 30 knot winds and 2-3 metres seas.

A helicopter equipped with an Infra-Red camera investigated a reported flare sighting in the search area last night but failed to find any trace of the missing boat. There was significant lightning activity in the area at the time.

The NSW Water Police have overall control of the search.

The weather in the search area today is moderate.

Further information:

Ben Mitchell AMSA PR 0418 487 794

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