Mooloolaba Coast Guard, Water Police search for fisherman Matthew Balange, missing off Moreton
In a heartbreaking development authorities have called off the search for a missing Sunshine Coast fisherman after four days – who has been identified as a beloved father of six. Read the latest.
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Police have stopped the search for a missing Sunshine Coast fisherman four days after his boat was found near Moreton Island.
Matthew Balange, 43, originally of Kiama, New South Wales, did not return from a fishing trip to the Outer Gneerings off the coast of Mooloolaba on Sunday, November 26.
The beloved father of six’s boat was found, with the engine still running, about two nautical miles off Comboyuro Point at the northern end of Moreton Island on Monday.
On Thursday morning, authorities confirmed the search for the recreational fisherman had been called off and aerial searching had finished on Tuesday afternoon.
Sunshine Coast District Search and Rescue Coordinator, Senior Constable Murray Lyons, said the outcome was heartbreaking for the family of the missing man.
“Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to locate the man and bring him home to his loved ones,” Senior Constable Lyons said.
“We have liaised closely with his family and discussed the sad news regarding the likelihood of survival; they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
Mr Balange’s family, and police officers, acknowledged the contribution of all those involved in the search including volunteers and the community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for his grieving family.
Corrine Niven started it on behalf of Kylie Kolm, Mr Balange’s partner.
“Matthews boat was located with the engine still running, Matt’s belongings including his phone were still in the boat, but sadly Matt was not,” Ms Niven said.
“Search teams have looked for days in an attempt to try and locate Matt, but unfortunately have not been successful.
“As you could all imagine his family and friends are devastated and in shock with what has happened.
“Matt leaves behind his partner Kylie and their six beautiful children they shared together.
“If we could help relieve some of the financial pressure they are about to face especially this close to Christmas would really be appreciated.”
On Wednesday, police had confirmed that the search had been scaled back, with officers and volunteers focusing on the foreshore along Bribie Island and eastern Moreton Island.
A Sunshine Coast Water Police spokesman said there wasn’t much hope to find him alive, and it was now a recovery operation to find the body.
Mr Balange’s younger brother, Dave, told the Sunshine Coast Daily the family was “bracing for the worst but hoping for the best” and said his brother had “lived and breathed” fishing.
He thanked the local community and emergency services for their efforts in the search to-date.
“While our family still holds hope for a positive outcome we are realistic in our expectations. Bracing for the worst, but still praying for the best,” Mr Balange said.
He said his big brother was a much loved partner, son, dad, uncle and friend who “absolutely loved his fishing, he lived and breathed it every opportunity he could get”.
“We are not ready to miss him, we just want him back. His stubbornness that normally grates us is now the strength that could still bring him back,” Mr Balange said.
“On behalf of myself, his little brother, my parents and his partner Kylie and the rest of our family, we cannot express our massive appreciation and gratitude for the Water Police, Coast Guard, Marine Rescue, AMSA and the other Emergency Services, for all their efforts and resources in the ongoing search.
“Without them we would not have the shreds of hope that we have clung to during this time.”
Mr Balange said the outpouring of support from the public and friends had been “amazing” as he requested privacy for the family moving forward.
“We take a little solace that he was doing what he absolutely loved,” Mr Balange said.
“If so inclined please pray to your chosen God, Deity or Beer Brand for Matt’s safe return,” Mr Balange earlier wrote on social media.
A friend, Daniel Bennett, said his heart went out to the Balange family.
“Didn’t return after a solo fishing trip … rescue located his boat, but was not in it,” he said.
Loved ones have also taken to social media to share their hope for his safe return.
“Heartbreaking news. We are thinking of you all and hoping so much for Matt’s safe return,” Jessica Murphy said.
“Thinking of you all and praying Matt is OK. So sorry to hear this terrible news and what you’re all going through,” Rebecca Gregory said.
Kylie Kolm, said it felt like a nightmare.
“I am just here heartbroken, disbelief, wishing this was a nightmare,” she said.
It was understood Mr Balange had initially hailed from Kiama in NSW, but had moved to the area in the past 12 months.
A social media post from December, 2022, from Mr Balange spoke of his love of “chasing marlin” as he sought out tips on the best spots to fish in the region.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast emergency services said they would not be deterred by the storms, as the search continued for a fisherman missing off the Sunshine Coast.
Fears are growing as emergency services continue to search for a man in his 40s, understood to have a wife and family, after he failed to return from a fishing trip.
The fisherman did not come home after a trip on Sunday, November 26 to shoals known as the Outer Gneerings at 3pm.
His wife called police shortly after 6pm when he didn’t return home.
Rescuers found his boat, a Cruise Craft Regal 2000, and mobile phone in the northern channel near Moreton Island on Monday morning.
His car and boat trailer were parked near the Mooloolaba Coast Guard headquarters on Parkyn Pde.
On Monday, there were seven helicopters, a constellation aircraft from Canberra, and seven boats with more than 35 people out there searching for him.
Mooloolaba Coast Guard Commander Lee Campbell said he was a “local” and one of the Coast Guard’s supporters.
“He regularly logs on and logs off with us and that’s why alarm bells rang when he didn’t log off,” Mr Campbell said.
So far, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane Water Police along with Mooloolaba and Caloundra Coast Guards have searched more than 300 square nautical miles.
It is understood emergency services believed he may have not been wearing a life jacket at the time.
Mr Campbell said the search the resumed at 7am Tuesday morning.
“We’re searching towards Moreton today and slightly south east of the coast,” he said.
“The storms have reduced the visibility but we do not give up because of bad weather.”
A Coast Guard spokesman said if not wearing a life jacket, the body would float for the first 24 hours before sinking.
“Then around the 36 hour mark the body would resurface,” he said.
“We still don’t know where the boat was exactly where he went overboard or what happened.”
Queensland Police have confirmed the search was ongoing between Point Cartwright and Moreton Island.
More to come.
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