Land and air search for man missing in water off Coffs Harbour

A 42-year-old man was last seen on Tuesday when he left his Sandy Beach home to go fishing.

Emergency crews are conducting a land and water search for a missing fisherman. Picture: Adam Hourigan

Water police are using tide information to help them find missing Sandy Beach man Depy Nakabasa Chihiri.

Coffs-Clarence Police Inspector Ben Atkinson on Monday said he was waiting on the latest advice from the water police as to possible other search locations.

“At this stage we are waiting for advice from the water police - it’s their primary responsibility,” Inspector Atkinson said.

“It’s all about tide and time and where items in the water may have moved to and then calculating possible new search areas.”

Mr Chihiri, 42, was last seen on Tuesday when he left his home north of Coffs Harbour to go fishing.

It is believed he went missing in water off Coffs Harbour.

A search is under way for missing fisherman Depy Nakabasa Chihiri, 42.

Officers from Coffs-Clarence Police District were notified on Friday and later found Mr Chihiri’s vehicle in the carpark of Mullaway Beach.

By Saturday morning, officers from Coffs-Clarence Police District conducted a land and water search of the area with assistance from Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Lifesaver helicopter.

Search crews scoured the area at low tide on Saturday but did not find him.

Mr Chihiri is described as being of African appearance, with a dark complexion, of medium build and with short dark hair.

Police inquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.