Desperate search for missing fisherman on NSW South Coast rages on, as police pledge to do everything in their power to locate man
Emergency services were called to Batemans Bay Marina at around 8pm on Saturday night after receiving numerous reports a 53-year-old man had not returned to port after a day of fishing.
NSW Police said in a statement that the man was last seen when he departed the marina at 6am on Saturday morning.
The man left for his journey in an 8-metre Arvor Cruiser, and last made radio contact with officials at 10am, however alarm bells began to ring when the man failed to report back to the marina at sundown.
Police said that a 'multi-agency search' had since commenced to locate the man.
Authorities pooled resources in an attempt to find the man late Saturday night, with Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue NSW dispatching a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter to scout the area.
The search persisted until 1am on Sunday, yet the man and his vessel could not be located.
"The Marine Rescue Batemans Bay and Bermagui crews said sea conditions were favourable last night, but it was quite dark with little assistance from the moon, and they had to navigate around numerous whales," Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said.
The search operation resumed early on Sunday morning, with dozens of local volunteers, six patrol boats, a light aircraft and Surf Life Saving NSW crews sent out to spearhead the effort.
Large police rescue boats were also seen cruising the waters on Sunday afternoon, navigating migrating whales, while helicopters were dispatched to comb the vast surrounding area.
The combined operation includes Marina Area Command, the South Coast Police District, Marine Rescue NSW and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Inspector Massey said that ocean conditions were favourable on Sunday and added that visibility was also good, giving volunteers welcome assistance in their attempts to locate the lost fisherman.
"They are searching an area offshore from just north of Narooma to south of Bermagui under the direction of Marine Area Command and will continue to do so until otherwise instructed," he said.
Authorities are pleading for anyone with information pertaining to the man's whereabouts to come forward and immediately contact Crime Stoppers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
27 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Man charged with murder after woman fatally stabbed in western Sydney
A woman has allegedly been murdered in a stabbing in Sydney's western suburbs. NSW Police said emergency services were called to a unit on Hemphill Ave in Mount Pritchard at about 5.05pm on Sunday, 'following reports a woman was located with stab wounds to her chest'. The 62-year-old woman was treated by paramedics, but died at the scene. A 28-year-old man, who police say was known to the woman, was arrested at the scene. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and has since been charged with murder (domestic violence). Fairfield City detectives have commenced an investigation alongside the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and a crime scene has been established. The 28-year-old was refused bail and is due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Monday.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
Sky News Contributor Louise Roberts says a pro Palestinian protest over the Sydney Harbour Bridge is madess
This Sunday a radical activist collective - the Palestine Action Group - wants to shut down the Sydney Harbour Bridge to stage a pro-Palestinian protest. NSW Premier Chris Minns says he will not allow our steel and granite symbol of unity and resilience to be closed 'under any circumstances'. Good. Let's be clear: no one is denying the right to protest and no one wants innocent civilians in Gaza starving to death. Yes, the suffering we are witnessing from the safety of Australia is undeniable and to wholesale blame Israel for this is appalling when Hamas has the region in its cruel, iron grip. Hijacking the Harbour Bridge to stage a global political spectacle from Sydney is not peaceful protest. It is theatrics disguised as justice. Mr Minns and NSW Police have said they would support the protest if it is held at another location or time. The Palestine Action Group, I would argue, is not purely a group calling for peace and critical help for perishing and injured citizens in the Middle East. To be blunt, some of them include people who, since the October 7 2023 Hamas terrorist slaughter, have waved flags for a cause that routinely veers into anti-Semitic slogans and chants for Israel to be wiped off the map. When organisers like Josh Lees claim the Australian government is 'enabling genocide' through arms exports, the focus shifts dramatically. Is this truly a call for humanitarian aid or has the march became a political battering ram aimed at Canberra? NSW Police, under Deputy Commissioner Thurtell, have shown remarkable restraint. They have enabled more than 100 pro-Palestine demonstrations since the horrors of October 7, despite the appalling aftermath of the protest on the Opera House steps. That is not police obstruction. It is operational goodwill. Organisers point to past closures of the bridge, such as for a Ryan Gosling film and World Pride, but those events were widely supported and carefully planned. Mr Minns is treading a fine line between recognising public sentiment and upholding civic order. Meanwhile across the border in Victoria, it's the same story. No surprise. Pro-Palestine protesters are planning to block Melbourne's King Street Bridge this weekend despite warnings from police. Hundreds of officers will be redeployed to manage this event which will drag resources away from crime, emergencies and actual policing duties. What has become clear is this: the bridge protests aren't about peace or humanitarian concern. They are about headlines and optics. 'Block the City for Gaza' reads the posters. Not help Gaza. All of this is unfolding as Australia moves closer to recognising a Palestinian state, with suggestions that the Albanese government likely to join the UK, France and Canada in supporting the move as part of efforts toward a two-state solution. This is despite fears, led by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, that this decision would fuel Hamas. Respected Jewish leader Mark Leibler this week reminded Mr Albanese of his own conditions on this very issue: no recognition until Hamas is disarmed and the hostages are freed. Neither has happened. In an interview with The Australian, Mr Leibler's warning couldn't be clearer - premature recognition punishes the innocent and rewards terror. Israeli hostages will still be underground, Palestinian civilians will still be suffering and meanwhile Hamas is emboldened by every Western government desperate to look progressive. Social media messages this week ahead of the march from The Palestine Action Group include this: 'In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians.' And this: 'Chris Minns: get out of the way we're stopping a genocide'. Plus more: 'The bridge is really important. The Zionists are comfortable in the city, with enormous power over media and institutions. A big march on the bridge will make them uncomfortable, will hit back.' 'See you there!' 'The cops can't arrest all of us even if it doesn't win in court.' 'Where can I get a Palestinian flag?" And so on. No mention of the mother and baby butchers and rapists of Hamas, then. It is always what evil Israel 'is doing'. Fighting the police decision in NSW's Supreme Court is not about protesting. It is about power. And they want to see if they can take it from us. And the Premier, under fire for his handling of the situation, has been more than reasonable. One MP even accused him of caring more about 'traffic flow than starving children.' Protest isn't a free pass. It doesn't allow you to bring national infrastructure to a halt just because you are passionate about a cause.
The Australian
3 days ago
- The Australian
Teen allegedly ordered hit that killed wrong target Luke Manassa
A 17-year-old has been accused of allegedly issuing the attack contract that led to the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa was allegedly stabbed after arriving with his girlfriend at a home in Driftway Dr, Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, about 10.45pm on June 26. Despite being able to get back into his car and drive a short distance, he succumbed to his injuries and could not be revived. He died at the scene. NSW Police were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing had attacked Mr Manassa. Luke Manassa was fatally stabbed at Pemulwuy on June 26 in a case of mistaken identity He was just 21 years old. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in early July in Mount Druitt and South Penrith respectively and charged with Mr Manassa's murder. On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant in Blacktown and arrested another 17-year-old boy about 7am. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Wednesday. Police will allege in court the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Police have previously said the owner of the Pemulwuy home was known to them. Luke Manassa's coffin in brought out of the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-cathedral at the close of his funeral service. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi on July 4 said investigators were yet to confirm a clear motive, however mistaken identity was 'more than likely'. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa's funeral in the week after his death was an emotional affair. His mother Theresa Manassa was photographed in tears, hugging close family and friends at the conclusion of a touching memorial attended by hundreds. Luke's mother Theresa at the close of the funeral. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard The end of the funeral was marked by the release of 21 white doves, commemorating Luke's 21 years, along with basketball balloons – a sport he loved. An emotional haka was led by Luke's Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group. Several police cars watched on nearby as hundreds gathered for the service. A guard of honour was formed leading to the church, made up of employees from the family business Mann Group – dressed in fluorescent orange construction shirts – and schoolchildren from nearby parishes. Police said investigations under Strike Force Hickety are ongoing. Robert White Cadet Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories. @white_robb73416 Robert White
