Jesse Courto stuck in Victoria as family’s desperate search for Thomas enters sixth day

Thomas Courto’s sister is desperately trying to return home to Tassie to support her family, who are still combing the beach and water for any sign of their son and brother — as police give an update on the search as weather conditions worsen.

Thomas Courto had just landed his dream job in the mines in Western Australia before tragedy struck this week, with his older sister telling him how proud she was he was heading for “a life he deserves”.

Mr Courto and friends Isaiah Dixon and Bree-Anna Thomas took off from the Wynyard boat ramp for a day trip on Monday morning and a large-scale air, land and sea search was launched when they failed to return that afternoon.

The area where Isaiah Dixon, Bree-Anna Thomas and Thomas Courto went missing. Photo: Gary McArthur

On Wednesday afternoon, some 50 hours into the search, the bodies of Mr Dixon and Ms Thomas were found washed ashore near Fossil Bluff.

As of Saturday morning, Mr Courto and the 17-foot vessel remain unaccounted for, with police preparing to launch underwater sonar technology on Monday.

“Until he is found, I still have hope,” Mr Courto’s sister Jesse told the Mercury.

The heartbroken big sister is desperately trying to return home to support her tight-knit family, who are still combing the beach and water for any sign of their son and brother.

In an update on Saturday morning, Tasmania Police said the North West Tasmania search will continue this weekend.

“Subject to suitable weather conditions, a police vessel and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter will search during daylight hours today and tomorrow,” a spokesperson said.

“Police urge anyone utilising personal drones in the area to never launch a drone when the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is in the area to ensure the safety of the helicopter and crew.

“While the police search is ongoing, and with conditions in the area, to ensure a coordinated approach and safety of the community, police ask people not to enter the water.”

Ms Courto is in Ivanhoe, a suburb of Melbourne, and despite the Victorian capital coming out of lockdown Friday, she has been told she is unable to quarantine with her family in Wynyard.

“My G2G pass has been approved for 14 days government quarantine in a hotel,” she said.

“(But) I feel this would be worse than not being there at all.”

Missing man Thomas Courto's sister Jesse is desperately trying to get home after a boat tragedy in Wynyard, Tasmania this week. Photo: Supplied

Ms Courto said she has chosen to self-isolate since Tuesday afternoon in the hope it will help her come home to her family.

“I’ve had a negative Covid test and willing to do as many needed. I’m fully vaccinated. I have done every single thing possible to ensure the safety of others if I am to return to my home state,” she said.

The office manager hasn’t been able to see her family for more than a year.

“It’s been such a struggle for a long time now in Melbourne’s hard lockdown,” Ms Courto said.

“Now with my little brother missing I’ve never felt so helpless and shattered.

“I didn’t think things could get any worse.”

Isaiah Dixon, Bree-Anna Thomas and Thomas Courty.

She said being stuck in Victoria was the last thing her family should have to worry about.

“My mum and dad, along with everyone else, are literally walking coast lines looking for their son. It’s just horrific,” Ms Courto said.

“There are no words to describe properly how I feel for my family, myself, the rest of the community or my brother. I need to be there to support my little sisters and my family.

“My best friend lost her little brother, my heart is broken for her and her family.

“It’s just a nightmare.”

Jesse Courto (back), Thomas (right) with younger sisters Lilly and Matilda. Photo: Supplied

Ms Courto recalled one of the siblings’ “last big conversations” over text.

“He’d just been accepted for a new job in the WA mines,” she said.

“I told him how happy and proud of him I am. The excitement he had heading up there for the life he deserves.”

Inspector Steve Jones on Friday provided an update on the search for Thomas.

“Tasmania Police have sought the services of an underwater surveyor who will provide a multi-beam sonar which will hopefully enable us to locate the missing vessel,” Inspector Jones said.

Ms Courto has now rallied the shadow health minister in Victoria to work with Tasmanian health authorities on her behalf — but that the 14 days hotel quarantine seems to be the only option right now.

“Unless in the circumstance that my brother is found deceased I can attend his funeral,” she said.

“I have my doubts whether anything else can be done at all but I will keep trying.”

Police, family and friends of the trio gather at Wynyard.

Victoria is a level one Covid-19 area by the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian residents can apply to quarantine at home, but there are conditions including that they had not visited any level one areas within 14 days before arriving in the state.

A Covid-19 Coordination Centre spokesperson said while they don’t comment on individual circumstances, generally non-Tasmanians coming for compassionate reasons are required to quarantine in a government hotel.

“There are times when there are exceptions provided based on the circumstances and the risk profile of the traveller,” the spokesperson said.

“As part of managing the risks, conditions will still apply including quarantining at a suitable premises and testing requirements.”

Tasmanian State Controller Darren Hine has also been approached for comment.