A search is ongoing in Northern Tasmania for an overdue vessel with one person on board.

“Significant resources are continuing to search an extensive area between Port Sorell and Beechford for a 75-year-old man, Kerry Frankcombe, who failed to return from a day fishing trip in Port Sorell yesterday,” said Senior Constable Damien Godfrey.

“Multiple police vessels, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Tamar Sea Rescue and Challenger Jet from Victoria provided by AMSA, began searching the area at about 7.55pm last night.”

The green and white 6-metre half cab vessel entered the water at the Port Sorell boat ramp in the early hours of yesterday morning for a half-day fishing trip, but it failed to return. Police have located the car and trailer at the boat ramp.

“About 1.30am the vessel was located by the AMSA Challenger Jet adrift approximately 12 km off the coast of Beechford,” said Senior Constable Godfrey.

“There has been no EPIRB activation and the man did not take a mobile phone with him.”

Police advise there will be increased activity on the water in the Beechford area and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the boat and the Deloraine man.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously via www.crimestopperstas.com.au.