The search has been suspended for a missing fisherman, after his empty boat was recovered off the South Coast, New South Wales Police Force says.
“Emergency services were called to Batemans Bay Marina about 8pm on Saturday (19 July 2025), after a fisherman had failed to return from a day’s fishing trip,” a statement by NSW Police Force said.
“Police have been told a 56-year-old man had left the marina about 6am in an 8-metre Arvor cruiser.
“He was spoken to about 10am but when he failed to return, emergency services were alerted about 7.20pm.”
Marine Area Command (MAC) immediately launched a search operation, with assistance from officers attached to South Coast Police District, Marine Rescue NSW and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
“The search continued, with the search area expanded to as far as Port Stephens in the north and south to the Victorian border,” the statement said.
About 1.20pm today, AMSA’s Challenger aircraft located the boat about 80 nautical miles east of Narooma. No one was on board.
“Fisherman on board a nearby commercial fishing vessels assisted, to stop the vessel in challenging conditions.
“The boat will be towed to shore.
“Patrols by Marine Area Command will continue in the coming days.”
Earlier:
A multi-agency search for a fisherman missing off Australia’s east coast has been massively expanded.
The search, broadened on Monday afternoon, began after a 56-year-old man failed to return from a day of fishing.
He departed from Batemans Bay Marina on the NSW South Coast about 6am on Saturday.
Contact was made with the man about 10am but emergency services were called when he failed to return that night.
The search initially focused on an area between Ulladulla and Merimbula but was widened as it continued on Monday.
Led by the Marine Area Command, vessels, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters have now scoured as far north as Port Stephens and as far south as the Victorian border – an area spanning about 700km.
Four Marine Rescue NSW vessels are involved.
The expanded search followed unconfirmed sightings of the man’s eight-metre Arvor cruiser by members of the public.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said crews were determined to find the 56-year-old.
“All of our dedicated volunteers are tired but ready to continue,” he said.
“They are an incredible group of committed people.”
There were almost 30 volunteers on the water on Sunday across six vessels, covering an area from Ulladulla to Merimbula and up to 22km seaward under the direction of police, Mr Massey said.
Surf Life Saving Australia and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority are also involved in the search.
