A search has resumed after a recreational fishing boat was located drifting off the Illawarra coast last night.
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, with the assistance of Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and PolAir, commenced a search for the owner – reported to be a man aged in his 60s – who police have been told was alone on the boat.
The man's vehicle and empty boat trailer have since been located in the Port Kembla boat ramp car park.
The search continued until 1am when the air and sea operation was suspended. Foot patrols of the shoreline were conducted overnight without success.
The search resumed at 6am today, again involving officers attached to Lake Illawarra PD, Marine Area Command, PolAir, and members from Marine Rescue NSW, SLSC and SES.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
