The cross-border search for a fisherman missing off the Gold Coast for three days has been scaled back.
Air and sea crews searched waters from the Gold Coast to Yamba, New South Wales, but did not find the 44-year-old Honeywell man.
The man’s black half-cabin cruiser was found drifting 25 nautical miles — about 50 kilometres — south-east of the Gold Coast Seaway early on Friday morning.
Police described the boat as being in good condition, with no apparent reason why no-one was on board.
An inactive emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) registered to the man was located 14 nautical miles off Ballina late on Saturday afternoon but no signs of life were detected.
Four boats and an aircraft were involved in Sunday’s search, focusing on waters between Point Danger and Yamba.
A rescue plane flew up from Essendon late on Thursday night. (Supplied: FlightAware)
A police spokesperson said the rescue operation had since transitioned into a recovery phase but officers remained in contact with the man’s family.
The search was launched at 7pm last Thursday after the man failed to return to Runaway Bay Marina as planned at 5pm.
Senior Sergeant Shannon Gray said on Friday the missing man was an experienced game fisherman who had left the marina early on Thursday morning.
Police are continuing to ask for anyone with information to come forward.