Fisherman's family seek closure

THE FAMILY of missing fisherman Rodney Clein will gather at Burnett Heads today to remember a “happy-go-lucky guy who always lived life to the fullest”.

Rod and Wade Clein remember their son and brother, Rodney Clein, who went missing at sea a year ago. . Picture: Max Fleet

THE FAMILY of missing fisherman Rodney Clein will gather at Burnett Heads today to remember a “happy-go-lucky guy who always lived life to the fullest”.

Rodney was one of three fishermen, including Allan Parsons and his son Kyle Wright, who went missing at sea in March last year and never came back.

Rodney’s father Rod Clein said the past year had been a struggle for the family.

“The hardest thing was that we never found anything,” Mr Clein said.

“It’s been such a difficult year because we didn’t get any closure.”

The family will hold a private memorial today to remember the fun-loving man.

They have hired an aircraft to drop flowers in the ocean where they believe the boat may have sunk.

“In my mind I think a big wave may have taken their boat to the bottom,” Mr Clein said.

“One of the worst things is not knowing how they died or how quick it was. We just hope they didn’t suffer.”

Rodney went out on the fishing trip with his friends on March 25 and, after they failed to return to Burnett Heads, an intensive air and sea rescue attempt was carried out by emergency services.

The official search was called off after four days, with authorities saying there was no longer any hope of finding the men alive.

The two families continued a private search for two more days before giving up.

“I think any family would do the same thing,” Mr Clein said.

“We went around all the reefs and islands hoping they may have washed up and left a message for help in logs or clothes.”

The family held a memorial for Rodney in August.

“I buried my dad and that was difficult but burying your child is a lot different,” Mr Clein said.

“I have three children and they are all very special. Rodney was my first child which made it very hard.”

Rodney’s brother Wade said he had had a tough year without his brother.

“It’s support from family that has gotten us through,” Mr Clein said.

“You just take it one day at a time.”

The family is still awaiting closure from the coroner.

“They haven’t given us a death certificate and won’t tell us how long we’ll have to wait,” Mr Clein said.

“It makes it hard to move on.”

Originally published as Fisherman's family seek closure