Media Release

Search for man in half cabin runabout continuing

Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) is continuing to coordinate the aerial component of a search for a half cabin runabout with a 46 year old man on board who failed to return to a Moreton Bay boat ramp after a planned one day fishing trip.

The man left Manly harbour about 6am on Sunday (July 27) morning but failed to return by 9.30pm. His wife reported him overdue to the police.

Intensive searches of Moreton Bay on Sunday night and all day yesterday with 10 aircraft and several vessels failed to locate the missing man. Searches to the east of Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island were also unsuccessful.

Today’s air search involves seven fixed wing aircraft searching 3500 square nautical miles from the north-eastern tip of North Stradbroke Island south to Cape Byron.

A witness reported seeing the missing man in his boat between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday afternoon near Flat Rock – a well known fishing spot off the north-eastern tip of North Stradbroke Island.

Anyone who may have been on Moreton Bay or off Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island yesterday who saw a gold and yellow hulled six-metre runabout with a white top is asked to contact Queensland Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

The man did not advise anyone of his voyage plans.

The Brisbane Water Police has overall control of the search.

Further information:

Ben Mitchell AMSA PR 0418 164 901

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