The search for 56-year-old fisherman Geoff Buchanan has been called off after his empty boat was found by authorities off the New South Wales coast.
Buchanan went missing on Saturday after failing to return from a fishing trip, and a multi-agency search was launched on Saturday evening.
A experienced Fisherman with a Passion for the Sea
According to his close friend and manager of the Batemans Bay d’Albora marina, Mitch Chaffey, Buchanan was a highly experienced waterman who knew his way around a boat.
“Geoff’s been around the water his whole life, very experienced in the water and on the water, fisherman, skin diver,” Chaffey said.
Police Suspect a Medical Episode
New South Wales Police Marine Area Command officer Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said Buchanan was a diabetic, and police haven’t ruled out the possibility he suffered a medical episode on board.
“The gentleman does have health issues managing diabetes that we’re extremely concerned about … we understand he had the medication,” Inspector Brazzill said.
Search Area Expanded to 9,200 Square Nautical Miles
The search area was initially focused between Narooma and Bermagui, but it was expanded on Monday to between Port Stephens and the Victorian border after unconfirmed sightings of the vessel by the public.
Using drift modelling, the search area was expanded again on Tuesday to cover 9,200 square nautical miles from Port Stephens to Bass Strait.
Police Urge Public to Come Forward with Information
NSW Police are urging anyone who has seen Buchanan’s vessel to contact Crime Stoppers.
Marine Area Command patrols will continue in the coming days, and police are hoping someone may have seen something that can help them find Buchanan.