UPDATE: search abandoned for the day for man missing after boat found drifting off Illawarra coast

Sunday, 05 January 2025 04:00:15 PM

A search for a man missing after a recreational fishing boat was found drifting off the Illawarra coast on Friday has concluded for the day due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Emergency services were called to Windang Island near Warilla, about 6.40pm Friday (3 January 2025), after a 4m Quintrex aluminium boat was found empty and drifting.

Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District and Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and PolAir, commenced a search for the 61-year-old owner who police believe was alone on the boat.

The multi-agency search involving officers from Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Polair, State Emergency Service, assisted by members from Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving was officially abandoned at 2.45pm, due to changing weather and unfavourable searching conditions.

The search, which has been conducted over the last three days, will resume at 8.00am tomorrow.

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