A search for a man missing after a fishing boat was found off the Illawarra coast has been scaled back, following a four-day-search.
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, Marine Area Command, and NSW Police Rescue Unit with assistance from 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. SES provided additional resources for the water and land search.
About 8am today (Monday 6 January 2025), the water search resumed today with officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District and Marine Area Command with assistance from Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and Shellharbour City Council.
Despite extensive searches during difficult conditions, the man couldn't be located.
The search, which has been conducted over the past four days and continued into Saturday night, was suspended today at 3pm.
Patrols by Marine Area Command, Surf Life Savings NSW, Marine Rescue NSW and local lifeguards will continue in the coming days.
