Vandepeer family boating tragedy: Tributes as search enters fourth day

TRIBUTES are flowing for the family missing for in a boat off Cape Jaffa, as their relatives speak of their heartbreaking hope to see their loved ones alive.

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TRIBUTES are flowing for the family missing off Cape Jaffa, as their relatives speak of their heartbreaking hope to see their loved ones alive.

Among the many tributes adorning the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was one that read: “Miracles happen. Never stop believing.”

Sarah Vandepeer said the family was trying to be realistic as the search for her brother, Len Vandepeer, his wife, Annette, both aged 57, and their adult son Doug, 27, enters its fourth day.

“We acknowledge it would take a miracle to see our family alive now,” she said.

“Albeit, we are still praying for a miracle.”

Speaking on behalf of her nephew Stephen, her brother Angus, Doug’s partner Rachel Savage and the extended Vandepeer and Annette’s family, she thanked the “phenomenal” effort of police, SES and CFS volunteers and local community for helping in the extensive search.

“The rescue efforts had been extensive but unfortunately the reward for effort has not been what we have like,” she said

“What this tragedy had brought home to us is how wonderful the local community has been.

“The effort of the local farming and fishing community aiding the search and many friends and neighbours offering support had been absolutely outstanding.

Sarah Vandepeer address the media with Stephen and Angus Vandepeer on day 3 of the search. Picture: Simon Cross

“We know many people in the districts have been very close friends with Len, Annette and Doug for many years — if not all their lives and the generation before that — and they’re also in a state of shock and disbelief.”

She said the family was “taking comfort in the knowledge” the community was “sharing” their grief.

Members of the family became visibly emotional as Ms Vandepeer addressed the media.

The search began after the trio went missing in their 7m Quintrex boat off the coast of Cape Jaffa on Monday night.

The Vandepeer family have been cattle farmers at Keilira, about 50km northeast of Cape Jaffa, for generations.

Len, Annette and Doug Vandepeer are missing, along with their boat which is assumed to have capsized.