Boat washes ashore in Tasmania, man reported missing

Police are searching for a man reported missing after his boat washed ashore south of Hobart on Wednesday.

An abandoned boat has washed up on a Tasmanian beach and the skipper’s family have reported him missing.

The closed cabin cruiser washed onto the Kingston Beach shoreline – about 10km south of Hobart – on Wednesday afternoon as members of the public watched on.

Police believe the man who was on-board departed a nearby marina about five hours before the boat washed up. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Davis-Jones

A rescue helicopter and police and Surf Life Saving boats scoured the area.

Police say the family of a man in his 70s have reported him missing.

The alarm was raised about 2pm on Wednesday when the white flybridge cruiser and attached dinghy came to rest on the beach.

Police say the marine search is continuing on Thursday.

A police diver boards the boat on Thursday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Davis-Jones

Images of the boat show a small anchor is locked onto the bow and an inflatable fender is sitting on-board the starboard side. Another fender is hanging outside the boat on the port side, and a green broadbrim hat is on the dashboard inside.

Police believe the man in his 70s boarded the boat at the Derwent Park marina and departed the harbour about 7am on Wednesday.