‘Major concerns’: Police believe two fishermen may have been swept off rocks into the water as a desperate search continues

Police are concerned a father and son may have been swept off rocks into the water as a desperate search for the missing fishermen continues.

Police hold “major concerns” for a father and son who failed to return home after a day of fishing near Kiama.

Police received reports of a concern for welfare for a 47-year-old father and his 17-year-old son about 3am on Tuesday after they failed to return to their southwestern Sydney home.

The pair were out fishing in Storm Bay south of the Kiama Harbour off the NSW coast.

Superintendent Craig Ireland said the men had left home about 3pm on Monday and were last heard from about 5.20pm when they said they were “going good” and were fishing.

“They were expected home around midnight and they failed to return home, from there the family raised the alarm.”

The father and son had been fishing in Storm Bay. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW

The men are reportedly experienced fishermen. Picture: NSW SES Shellharbour City Unit

Superintendent Ireland said police have found their car, fishing gear and a phone at the top of the rock edge near the blowhole.

“We have major concerns for the father and son and a major search and rescue operation underway at the moment,” Superintendent Ireland said.

“We are very concerned, it does appear in all likelihood they have been swept off the rocks, there was a large swell last night and a high tide at the time they were fishing.”

Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW are all involved in the search for the two fisherman.

The men are reportedly experienced fishermen who know the area well, and no one saw them enter the water.

“We feel for the family, and we will do our best to locate them,” Superintendent Ireland.

“The family are distraught, very upset.”

Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Originally published as ‘Major concerns’: Police believe two fishermen may have been swept off rocks into the water as a desperate search continues