Overview
- The man left Shellharbour Marina late Thursday and last contacted authorities about 11pm, saying he planned to return by 11am Friday.
- Police were called about 11:30am after fishing gear washed ashore at Bass Point in Shell Cove.
- Marine Area Command is leading a coordinated operation with police divers, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue NSW and an aerial unit.
- The Westpac rescue helicopter from Nowra flew parallel search patterns around Shell Cove, Bass Point Reserve and Bushrangers Aquatic Reserve before heading south and dropping off public tracking by about 3pm.
- Authorities had not located the fisherman as the land, sea and air search continued into the afternoon, in a region that has seen several recent boating disappearances.