Body found in search for sailor missing on Johnstone River at Innisfail in Far North Queensland

A body has been found in the search for a missing Far North Queensland sailor.

Raffaele Pagliarini's catamaran Yawo, which caught on fire and sank on Saturday.

A body has been found in the search for a sailor missing since his boat caught fire and sank in the Johnstone River, near Innisfail in Far North Queensland, on Saturday.

Raffaele Pagliarini has been declared missing by police.

The identity of the body is yet to be confirmed, but members of the cruising yacht community held grave fears for the safety of their mate, 66-year-old Italian yachtie Raffaele Pagliarini, since his boat went down.

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,” he wrote.

The Yawo caught alight and sank on the Johnstone River. Picture: Supplied

The Yawo’s skipper had an reputation as an adventurer and was known to have made Bowen, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island and Innisfail regular ports of call.

On Saturday police declared a crime scene after the catamaran was incinerated on the river and Ravenshoe man, Mr Pagliarini, was nowhere to be found.

Raffaele Pagliarini's catamaran Yawo.

He was last seen on his boat on the Johnstone River on Friday, November 3.

Forensic examinations of the body have begun and police say they are continuing with their investigation of the boat fire.

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Originally published as Body found in search for sailor missing on Johnstone River at Innisfail in Far North Queensland