Two men and 4-year-old missing on fishing trip off Jervis Bay

by Ken McManus on 1 Jan 2015 Rescue vessels from Marine Rescue Units at Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven and Sussex Inlet have been deployed on a search for a missing trailer boat with three people on board.

Marine Rescue Regional Controller for Illawarra, Bruce Mitchell said 'At around 4:30 this afternoon an anxious wife contacted Marine Rescue Shoalhaven to advise that her husband and 4-year-old son had not returned earlier in the afternoon as planned from their fishing trip today.

'Marine Rescue volunteers and the woman searched boat ramps in the area and the man’s trailer and car were located by his wife at the Currarong Ramp.

Mr Mitchell advised that NSW Police Marine Area Command has deployed four Marine Rescue vessels on the search; Jervis Bay 20, Jervis Bay 40, Shoalhaven 30 and Sussex Inlet 30. The Water Police vessel from Port Kembla has also been deployed and helicopters have been called in.

They are searching off the coast between Jervis Bay and Crookhaven Heads.

Marine Rescue NSW urges all boaters and water-craft users to be vigilant during the holiday season when so many more people and vessels are on the water.

Boaters and water craft users should all put on a lifejacket when they get on board their vessels.

Boaters and jet ski riders should also Log On and Log Off with their local Marine Rescue Radio Base.

This simple safety strategy means you’ve made sure someone responsible knows you’re out there. If anything occurs that prevents you from Logging Off, action will be taken to start looking for you.