South Australia Police are investigating the source of items located near the Murray Mouth, following reports of a missing fisherman and his boat yesterday.
Police say that just after 6.30am this morning, officers received a call from a local commercial fisherman after he had discovered a number of items of debris washed ashore several kilometres south-east from the Murray Mouth.
The debris (pictured after retrieval) appears consistent with items from a boat reported missing yesterday and has been taken to Goolwa Police Station.
Patrols and the police helicopter (PolAir) are currently making their way to the area to conduct a coastal search while a fixed wing aircraft will focus on searching open waters in the same area.
Just after 5am on Tuesday, police received a call from a man reporting his boat was taking on water near Granite Island.
Police say the boat is the same vessel that was the subject of an extensive search earlier this month south of Port Lincoln.
Sea Rescue volunteers conducted a search for several hours yesterday morning but were forced to return to shore as weather conditions worsened. PolAir also carried out a search along the Coorong and SAPOL’s fixed wing aircraft also assisted in the search today.
Police received confirmed reports the vessel was seen anchored off Granite Island around 3pm on Monday.
The Challenger aircraft provided by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) searched the area until 11pm last night using infrared radar equipment. Debris located in the water around 4.30pm yesterday by the aircraft is currently being examined.
Anyone who has had contact with the man or saw the vessel after 3pm yesterday, is urged to call the Police Assistance Line immediately on 131444.
