Police say they hold “significant concerns” for a missing Tasmanian fisherman as the large search for him enters its third day.
75-year-old Kerry Frankcombe was last seen leaving the Port Sorell boat ramp in the early hours of Sunday September 10 and was reported missing at 7:40pm that night after failing to return from his fishing trip.
Search crews found his six-metre half-cab vessel unattended 12 kilometres off the coast of Beechford on Monday morning.
Multiple resources, including marine police and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, have resumed the search between Port Sorell and Beechford with the hope of finding Frankcombe.
Sergeant Leighton Riggall said police hold significant concerns for Mr Frankcombe’s welfare, given the amount of time he has now been missing.
He urged anyone with information to contact Police.
Speaking to media yesterday, Inspector Shane Lefevre said forensic examinations would be conducted on the boat, which is believed to be seaworthy.
Lefevre said Mr Frankcombe was an experienced boatie and had informed his family about his plans, however, he had never fished in the area before and did leave his mobile phone at home.
While there was an emergency beacon (EPIRB) on board the vessel, it hadn’t been activated.
“He was just planning to go out for a morning fishing trip, by himself, he hadn’t been out fishing for some time and the weather presented as a great opportunity to do that,” Insepctor Lefevre said.
“It links to [our] theory that nothing untoward [had happened].”
Inspector Lefevre said the boat was found “a long way away” from the shore, but said with his experience “he would know if he was in trouble”.
Frankcombe’s family are “devastated” but “hopeful” that he will be found, Lefevre said.
