The search for a missing fisherman, Tony Andeliero, has resumed off the NSW Illawarra coast after being called off yesterday due to rough conditions.
The 60-year-old father and grandfather, an experienced skipper, remains lost at sea, leaving his family with a glimmer of hope as authorities restart their search efforts.
A Family’s Plea for Hope
“We’ve got little kids who might not see their Pop again, and it’s just not great,” said Andeliero’s daughter, Kayla, in an emotional interview with 9News. The family is holding on to hope as the search party, comprising NSW Police, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and PolAir, scours the coast for any sign of the missing fisherman.
The Search Efforts
Andeliero set off from the Port Kembla boat ramp yesterday morning, but almost 12 hours later, his empty tinnie was found 500 meters off Windang Island. This triggered a multi-agency search, which continued until the early hours of the morning before resuming again at 8 am today. The challenge lies in the vast size of the search area, with crews searching everywhere from Lake Illawarra to the shore and even further out to sea.
Investigation Underway
Investigators are trying to piece together what happened to Andeliero, including the exact time and circumstances of how he went overboard. NSW Police Inspector Will Collins said there were no issues with the vessel itself, which has been seized by police, and Andeliero’s car remains parked at Port Kembla. The presence of lifejackets on the vessel raises questions about whether Andeliero was wearing one when he went missing.
The Search Continues
As the search resumes, Andeliero’s family and authorities remain hopeful that he will be found safe and sound. With the combined efforts of the search party and the latest technology, including boats and helicopters, the chances of finding Andeliero increase. The family’s desperate plea for hope is being echoed by the community, and everyone is holding on to the possibility of a positive outcome.