Isaiah Dixon, Bree-Anna Thomas die in Wynyard boat tragedy as search for Thomas Courto continues

A 23yo man who was found dead alongside his friend after a day out on the water is being remembered for his smile, outgoing nature and beautiful heart as crews continue to search for their third mate. LATEST >>

UPDATE, 5pm Thursday:

TWENTY-three year-old Isaiah Dixon was a hard-working fun-loving young fella who will be remembered for his smile, outgoing nature and his love of fishing and camping.

Isaiah’s uncle John-Paul Dixon said the Savage River worker and his childhood friend Thomas Courto, 26 and Bree-Anna Thomas had wanted a fun day out on Monday after coming off shift at the West Coast mine.

“Tom and Isaiah grew up together and Bree-Anna fitted in with them and was a lovely young lady,” Mr Dixon said as his family started to come to terms with the tragedy that unfolded on Monday.

“The boys will be remembered for their smiles and their natures. They were good, hard working boys with beautiful hearts.”

The three friends — Isaiah Dixon, Bree-Anna Thomas and Thomas Courto.

Mr Dixon said the families had been stunned by the level of support they had received this week from their mates, the wider Wynyard community and Tasmania as a whole.

“ I reckon I cried about 50 times on Tuesday. If a person had a boat it was on the water, if they had a plane it was in the air, if they had boots they were out walking and if they had binoculars they were looking for them,” Mr Dixon said.

“Tasmania really is a beautiful place to live. People have been there the whole time with us,” he said.

“Everyone involved is holding together as best we can. Thomas is still missing so there is a bit to go through yet,’ Mr Dixon said.

“We hope a resolution comes soon but we have accepted the possibilities.”

UPDATE, 12.15pm Thursday:

Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh wants the family and friends of the three young people to know their community is behind them and ready to do anything they can to help in such tragic circumstances.

The bodies of Bree-Anna Thomas and Isaiah Dixon were found washed ashore near Fossil Bluff yesterday after a 50-hour air and sea search. A third friend — Thomas Courto — is still missing, along with the boat they were in before tragedy struck.

Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh.

“Isaiah used to play with my grandkids when he was little, such a polite boy he was,” Mr Walsh said.

“I went down to the vigil at the boat ramp on Wednesday afternoon and the amount of people there was astounding.

“It is a terrible situation and the community wants to offer support and understanding to the families, friends, emergency personnel and volunteers involved.

“We are a strong and very close knit community and thankful for the efforts made. The family also very much appreciates the support.”

UPDATE, 10.30am Thursday:

THE Wynyard community is being encouraged to leave a floral tribute to show support and shared sorrow for the families of three young mates involved in a boating tragedy this week.

“A small gesture to show support and condolences to all family and friends who have experienced heartbreak this week. As a town we are with you,” the tribute left by Annie Matthews at the Goldie St park says.

Devastated friends of the three boaties are taking to social media to vent their pain with one of the young men described as “the main character of everybody’s lives, including his own”.

Isaiah Dixon was on board the boat he borrowed from his dad with his mate Thomas Courto and another friend Bree-Anna Thomas on Monday.

When the trio failed to return to the Wynyard boat ramp on Monday afternoon the alarm was raised.

On Wednesday, family and friends who had been clinging to hope the boat had broken down and the group was awaiting rescue offshore, were told the bodies of Bree-Anna Thomas and Isaiah Dixon had been found washed up near Fossil Bluff.

The search for Thomas Courto and the 17ft vessel continues today.

Police are yet to formally confirm that Isaiah Dixon was the male found yesterday but online tributes have described Isaiah as the “light of everyone’s party”.

“My heart breaks and I’ve got an empty spot that will never be filled,” his mate Brian Beckrerath said.

“Love ya so much my brother, I’ll cherish every memory I have and the ones I can’t remember and all the dumb shit we have done together. Rest easy my man until I see you again.”

Another mate said things would not be the same without Isaiah.

The area where two friends were found washed ashore.

“It was always a good time with you around. You will be missed by many,” he said.

A Wynyard community Facebook page which is usually filled with pictures of the beautiful coastal town sent in by proud residents was black on Thursday in honour of those involved in the tragedy and their loved ones.

Flowers are being left at a Wynyard park.

“Out of respect for those who died in this week’s boating tragedy, there will be no photo today,” the post says.

“Pray for the family and friends of those who have been lost.”

Another resident encouraged people to just leave a heart on the page to show they stood with the three families impacted.

“No words can express what so many are going through right now. Show our respect and that we stand with the families involved.”

Bree-Anna Thomas.

Bree-Anna Thomas is understood to have worked at the Wynyard Wharf Hotel.

Thomas Courto, who grew up in Wynyard but moved to Ulverstone, was a member of the Cuprona Football Club.

A member of his team said the club was “absolutely shattered” and friends were praying Thomas might still be found safe and well.

“Come home brother,” a teammate said.

Police and family members are clinging to hope that Mr Courto has survived and a search for him is under way.

Authorities are also hoping the boat is recovered and it can provide answers to what went wrong on Monday.