Search operation continues in treacherous water for two men missing on boat after leaving Coffin Bay on Thursday
The search is continuing for two men who left Coffin Bay on a boat on Thursday and are missing at sea after experiencing engine trouble en route to Goolwa.
Port Lincoln
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Police have “grave fear” for the safety of two Goolwa men missing off the coast of the Eyre Peninsula after they bought a boat in Coffin Bay and set sail for home.
The search for the two men, aged 48 and 57, is ongoing after they left Coffin Bay on a vessel named ‘Margrel’ about 3pm on Thursday. A severe wind warning has been was issued for the region.
Officer in charge of the Eyre Peninsula and West Coast, Superintendent Paul Bahr, said he was deeply concerned for the welfare of the men considering how much time had elapsed.
“Given the weather conditions, especially today, are going to be very treacherous, we do have grave fear for their safety,” Superintendent Bahr said.
Superintendent Bahr said the two men had recently bought the boat from a Coffin Bay local and were on their way back to Goolwa, with a planned stop over in Victor Harbor.
The pair have not made contact since 11pm Friday night when they phoned a friend saying they were experiencing difficulties with their propeller.
At the time of contact, the men were believed to have been between Port Lincoln and Kingscote.
The search area for the pair now stretches from Port Lincoln to the northwest `Coast of Kangaroo Island, an area of 2500 nautical miles.
“At the moment we are utilising the last available information, which is they were tracking back to Goolwa, via Investigator Strait, we are using that as our starting point,” Superintendent Bahr said.
“Given the recent weather conditions, it is possible they could have gone off course and the south of Kangaroo Island is now being searched.
“We know they had life jackets, we know they had flares, what we are unaware of is if they were carrying an EPIRB or if the UHF that was fitted to the boat was operational.”
Superintendent Bahr said windy weather would make for treacherous search conditions on Monday.
The Australian and Maritime Safety Authority is assessing the large area, south east of Port Lincoln and circling the coast of Kangaroo Island.
Superintendent Bahr said police are working with the family of the missing men during the search.
“We are talking to friends and family, including some interstate, trying to ascertain whatever information we can that might assist us in the search and where they may have ended up,” he said.
He encouraged anyone on the coast of Kangaroo Island or Western districts to keep a look out for the boat.
“If they’re along the coast near those areas and they see this boat to contact us immediately.”
Their last known location was between Coffin Bay and Kangaroo Island.
SA Police’s Water Operations Unit and an AUSSAR aircraft, with the Royal Air Force are searching for the boat, with identification number RF83S.
Anyone who sees the vessel is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.