Search for missing fishermen expanded as hopes are ‘diminishing’
MISSING MEN
The search for three fishermen missing off the Far North coast since Tuesday has continued today, however, police say the chances of finding the trio are “diminishing”.
Search efforts to locate the Yarrabah men, aged 18, 27 and 37, who were last seen off the coast of Green Island on Australia day have spanned “tens of thousands of square kilometres”.
Acting Inspector Andrew Cowie said the search area had been expanded with the police boat, Perry Irwin, currently conducting water-based operations, with support from the air, in the area north of Port Douglas through to Cape Bedford.
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“At this stage, there is no update on locating any people,” he said.
“But our operation focus is still to perform searches with a hope to locate these people.
“At the moment the chance of this is diminishing, yet we will still continue with the operation focus.
“It is still currently a search and rescue mission.”
Late last week fuel containers and a waterlogged lifejacket were discovered and today Acting Inspector Cowie said there had been an unconfirmed report that a third fuel can has been located within the search area.
"[Finding] those items does support the information that we've got from experts and we are in the correct area for our searching."
Acting Inspector Cowie said air-based searches have also been conducted along beaches and coral cays to rule out the possibility that the men had been stranded along the coast.
"Our search and rescue will continue today, and our plans are that it will continue into tomorrow.
"However, we're guided by experts who are monitoring survivability conditions."
Acting Inspector Cowie said police were asking for anyone who may find items along any beaches north of Port Douglas to notify police in case they came from the missing boat.
He added that the family is still very distressed and is being supported by local health services.
“And we ask that any other person in the community that is affected by this that they immediately seek help,” Acting Inspector Cowie said.