Search continues for missing fisherman off Mackay coast

The search continues for a fisherman missing off the central Queensland coast after his fishing boat capsized at Creal Reef, roughly 80 nautical miles from Mackay, with emergency services pressing ahead despite two successful rescues overnight.

Three experienced anglers were aboard the vessel when an EPIRB was activated around 8.10pm Thursday night, triggering a coordinated response from police and rescue services. The challenge facing crews was immediate: poor visibility hampered early efforts, and police rescue vessels required between five and six hours to navigate to the remote site. The remoteness of Creal Reef meant that even swift emergency response protocols could not shorten the time needed to mount rescue operations.

Despite these obstacles, two of the three fishermen were located and rescued on Friday. The first fisherman was found clinging to the overturned hull and airlifted to safety around 5:55am Friday morning. He was transported to Mackay Base Hospital in serious condition. A second crew member was rescued just over five hours later, also by helicopter, and airlifted to hospital for treatment.

The third member—a 41-year-old Grasstree Beach man and brother to one of the recovered fishermen—remains unaccounted for, prompting an intensified search across the open ocean.

Queensland Police have underscored their commitment to the operation, with Senior Constable Syrrell Howard offering a clear picture of how long authorities are prepared to sustain efforts. "We will continue to search until there's been a determination by health experts that there is limited or no chance of anyone being recovered alive," he said Friday.

The coordination required to mount such an operation across open water highlights both the capabilities of modern maritime emergency response and the extraordinary challenges of rescue operations far offshore. The activation of the EPIRB proved critical, allowing authorities to pinpoint the location in darkness and poor conditions despite the delays. The involvement of rescue helicopters, search jets, and police vessels underscores the multi-layered approach needed to cover the vast search area.

With professional rescue teams committed to the search, Queensland Police have also expanded their efforts by appealing to recreational boaters and other water users to report any sightings immediately. The request reflects both the scale and complexity of searching open ocean and a broader safety culture within the maritime community.

The successful rescue of two crew members has demonstrated the effectiveness of maritime safety systems and coordinated emergency response. Yet the ongoing search also serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of open ocean conditions, even for experienced fishermen venturing well offshore in unpredictable waters.