Tasmania Police believe it is unlikely a man in his 70s has survived after his boat was found washed ashore at Kingston Beach yesterday, if he fell into the water.
Commander Jason Elmer said the owner of the boat is thought to have departed the Derwent Park Marina at Prince of Wales Bay around 7am on Wednesday.
“[We’re] obviously very concerned if the male person has entered the water, given the current water temperature and the overnight temperature,” he said.
“That makes survivability at this point in time if he was still in the in the water very low.”
Police say inquiries indicate the man may not have been wearing a life jacket.
A large-scale search operation involving two helicopters, several boats and officers on foot is continuing across the area south of Hobart this afternoon.
“We’re obviously not able to ascertain at this point what has happened and where it’s actually happened, so we’re patrolling both sides of the river,” Elmer said.
“We would also ask that any members of the public who are out either on the water or on the shores to keep an eye out for anything … that might be relevant to this matter.”
The boat was towed from the beach on Wednesday afternoon and is currently being examined by police for clues.
