Search resumes for missing Batemans Bay fisherman Geoff Buchanan

A wide-scale search has resumed for an experienced fisherman and diver who nearly 72 hours after venturing out from a South Coast marina has seemingly vanished without a trace.

A wide-scale search has resumed for an experienced fisherman and diver who nearly 72 hours after venturing out from a South Coast marina has seemingly vanished without a trace.

Geoff Buchanan went on a solo fishing trip in an eight-metre Arvor runabout boat at the weekend and failed to return to port, triggering a large-scale sea and air search operation.

The 56-year-old left a Batemans Bay marina at 10am and concerns were raised at 7.20pm when he did not return as expected.

The search operation, which deployed four vessels from four units, will resume across a stretch of coast from as far north as Port Stephens and as far south as the Victorian border, launching at 8am on Tuesday by Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf lifesaving, and AMSA’s Challenger aircraft.

Geoff Buchanan, 56, has been missijng since Saturday morning. Picture: Supplied/Facebook.

The search parameters were expanded on Monday following unconfirmed sightings of the vessel by members of the public.

It comes as scores of Mr Buchanan’s friends took to social media to issue urgent appeals to locate the fisherman, who they say is an “experienced solo fisherman and diver”.

Mr Buchanan’s worried wife, Julie, shared several posts on Facebook pleading for information about her missing husband.

Missing Batemans Bay fisherman, Geoff Buchanan, 56. Picture: Facebook

Mr Buchanan messaged one of his friends Glen Thurson and invited him to come with him on the fishing trip in the hours leading up to his disappearance.

“I couldn’t because I was on my way to Queensland,” he said.

Batemans Bay's marina is expected to sell for $11 million. Picture: Tom McGann.

“He sent me a picture of a huge Yellowfin Tuna he caught and I haven’t heard from him since.”

Another close friend of Mr Buchanan, champion spearfisher Simon Trippe, took to social media to issue an urgent appeal to find the angler.

“Our buddy Geoff has been missing out at sea for two nights. He is in an 8m Arvor with a 300 Verado on the back,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Geoff went on a solo mission out of Batemans Bay, had caught a ‘fin and was heading home Saturday morning.

“Please if you’re out fishing today keep an eye out and investigate, and report to authorities. Boat could be anywhere.”

A Marine Rescue NSW spokesman said two command posts were established to run the major search, one in Batemans Bay and one 100km south in Bermagui.

Marine Area Command launched a co-ordinated search involving Marine Rescue NSW, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and South Coast Police District officers.

The Marine Area Command is seeking assistance from any members of the public or commercial fisherman, who may have been fishing off the Batemans Bay or Bermagui areas over the weekend, to contact Crime Stoppers or the Marine Area Command with any information or if they believe they may have sighted the vessel.

Originally published as Search resumes for missing Batemans Bay fisherman Geoff Buchanan