Police search for missing Far North fisherman ongoing
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance to locate a fisherman who has been missing in the Coral Sea for two days.
The 66-year-old Cooktown man was last seen at Cape Flattery on 26 June when the went missing from a fishing vessel, the Southern Venture II.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) initiated the search and rescue operation for the missing man approximately 18 nautical miles north of Cape Flattery.
The search covered an area of some 328 square kilometres. AMSA handed coordination of the search over to police yesterday.
Cape Flattery is located about 170 kilometres North of Port Douglas, near Lizard Island.
All shipping vessels in the area were also alerted during the search, involving three fixed wing aircraft, five rotary wing, volunteer marine rescue and Queensland Police Service vessels.
The search was suspended late Wednesday with officers on board Police Vessel Perry Irwin and QGAir Rescue 510 continuing aerial searches of the shoreline between Cape Flattery and Cape Melville.
Far North Tactical Operations Inspector Pete Flori said the search has now been suspended, however there will be a review expected in the next 48 hours.“At this stage hopes of locating the missing man alive are fading,” Inspector Flori said.“We have grave concerns for his welfare as our continued search has failed to find any debris.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
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