Police declare crime scene where boat burned on Johnstone River at Innisfail
The cruising yacht community has put out a call for any information on the missing skipper of a boat that caught on fire and sunk in the Johnstone River on Saturday.
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The cruising yacht community has put out a call for any information on the missing skipper of a boat that caught on fire and sank in the Johnstone River on Saturday.
While official police investigations into the disappearance of Italian yachtie Raffaele Pagliarini remain ongoing, friends have penned heartfelt messages appealing for any information about the 66-year-old, known to most as Raf.
Australia Crew Finder has reached out to voice “great concern” to the group’s 3,500 members and requested assistance to help find the missing boatie.
The adventuring sailor has been a regular to north Queensland shores and is known to have made Bowen, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island and Innisfail ports of call.
The innovative problem solver is known to have invented marine equipment, including a boat installed wood fired pizza oven.
Moderator of the Australia Crew Finder site Izzy Nazare posted a call out to help find his “dear friend” on Monday.
“We are reaching out to you with great concern for our dear friend,” she wrote.
“We kindly request your assistance in locating him or providing any information that may help us find him.”
On Saturday police declared a crime scene after a catamaran was incinerated on the Johnstone River at Innisfail.
But the boat’s 66-year-old owner could not be located.
Ravenshoe man, Mr Pagliarini, was last seen on his boat on the Johnstone River on Friday, November 3.
Fire crews arrived at the river’s banks about midday on Saturday to find the boat engulfed in flame.
Due to the boat’s distance from the shore the fire was beyond the range of firefighting equipment and therefore could not be doused.
Emergency services have since been unable to confirm Mr Pagliarini’s safety and it’s understood police now fear for his wellbeing.
“Police have launched a search and rescue operation for a 66-year-old man following a marine incident that occurred in Innisfail yesterday, November 4,” a QPS spokeswoman said.
“Emergency services were called just after midday to reports a vessel had ignited in flames along the Johnstone River.
“Upon arrival, crews were unable to extinguish the blaze due to its location.
“It was not known if anyone was on board at the time.”
The boat continued to belch smoke into Innisfail’s sky late into Saturday afternoon.
The QPS spokeswoman on Sunday said the catamaran’s owner remained missing after extensive inquiries.
“The vessel has been declared a crimes scene and police divers are returning to the vessel today to conduct searches,” she said.
“Anyone with information about the vessel’s owner, or his whereabouts, is urged to contact police.”
Police said Mr Pagliarini was caucasian in appearance and approximately 175cm tall, with brown eyes, brown hair and an Italian accent.
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Originally published as Police declare crime scene where boat burned on Johnstone River at Innisfail
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