On Sunday 24 July 2011, police commenced a land, air and sea search in an area around Bridport following the location of a fibreglass runabout on Waterhouse Beach, approximately 6 km east of Bridport.

Police are currently searching for the owner of the vessel, a 70-year-old Bridport resident who has not been seen since leaving Bridport intending to fish Anderson Bay at about 2pm on Saturday 23 July 2011.

Police have utilised two helicopters, a fixed wing ‘Dornier’ from Victoria, a number of local volunteer boat owners along with SES and volunteer walking parties, totalling in excess of 50 people.

The search has failed to locate any sign of the missing person, but will continue through the night with volunteers and police searching the coastline and surrounding bush.

Police hold grave fears for the safety of the missing man.

Tasmania Police Media & Communications
(03) 6230 2867