‘Grave concerns’: Grim fears for man lost in Qld waters as search ends third day

“Grave concerns” are held for a fisherman who has been lost at sea for four days, with the desperate marine search wrapping up its third day.

“Grave concerns” are held for a fisherman who remains missing at sea off central Queensland, with the desperate marine search wrapping up its third day with no result.

The 41-year-old was with two other men when their vessel overturned about 85 nautical miles northeast from Mackay Harbour about 8.10pm Thursday.

Harrowing images have captured the moment the two other men were rescued from Creal Reef on Friday after spending the night tied to a blue Esky.

A man was winched to safety from waters in the Coral Sea – 170km offshore from Mackay – after a 7m boat overturned on Thursday. Picture: Supplied / RACQ CQ Rescue

Queensland Police said rescuers have now searched about 100 square nautical miles in and around waters where the men were found.

“Working from first to last light, police and multiple agencies have conducted a wide-ranging surface and aerial search spanning hundreds of nautical miles in search for the missing 41-year-old Grasstree Beach man without result,” they said in a statement issued at the weekend.

“Grave concerns are held for the welfare of the missing man.”

Five vessels searched on Sunday, including the Queensland Police Service’s ‘Damian Leeding’ catamaran, assisted by aerial support of a Townsville-based QG Air helicopter, which surveyed outlying reefs at low tide.

“QPS vessel Damian Leeding will remain at sea overnight and will recommence search activity at first light,” said police.

Working from first to last light, police and multiple agencies have conducted a wide-ranging surface and aerial search spanning hundreds of nautical miles in search for the missing 41-year-old Grasstree Beach man without result. https://t.co/IlMhxEgrJZpic.twitter.com/qp5jMUzxiz

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) April 15, 2023

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on-board the vessel was activated about 85 nautical miles northeast from Mackay Harbour at about 8.10pm on Thursday.

Emergency crews – including police, Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Response Centre and a rescue helicopter – combed Creal Reef in the Coral Sea in response.

On Friday morning one of the men was located clinging to the boat.

“Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man,” an RACQ CQ Rescue spokeswoman said.

The Grasstree resident, 44, was retrieved by VMR about 7am and transported to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition.

The man was spotted in the water (bottom right) after 11am, hours after the first man was rescued by VMR. Picture: Supplied / RACQ CQ Rescue

A second Bray Park man, 43, was found naked floating near the reef by the rescue helicopter just after 11am.

“He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night,” the spokeswoman said.

“He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef.”

The man was flown to the same hospital for treatment.

RACQ CQ said the second Bray Park man told rescuers a wave hit their 7m Goodwin Longboard about 8.30pm on the night of the incident.

Initial investigations suggest the trio’s boat overturned from a rogue wave about 8.30pm on Thursday. Picture: Supplied / RACQ CQ Rescue

“All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue Esky to assist with flotation,” the spokeswoman said.

“They somehow became separated (from the third man) during the night.”

Senior Constable Syrrell Howard from the Mackay Whitsunday Water Police said the trio departed Mackay Harbour earlier this week for recreational fishing.

“We were hampered initially by low light conditions and also by the area being so remote,” he said.

Boaties and other recreational water users are asked to immediately report sightings to police.

Originally published as ‘Grave concerns’: Grim fears for man lost in Qld waters as search ends third day