Missing Tasmanian fisherman Kerry Frankcombe is unlikely to still be alive, Police say.
75-year-old Frankcombe has been missing for more than a week after leaving on a fishing trip from the Port Sorell boat ramp last Sunday.
His boat was discovered empty, 12 kilometres off the coast of Beechford, the day after he disappeared.
Acting Western District Commander Rebecca Davis said “the search will continue this week, however, expert medical advice indicates a person in the water for as long as Mr Frankcombe has been missing, would unlikely survive”.
“This is an incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts are and continue to be with Kerry’s family,” she said.
Police suspect missing Tasmanian fisherman went overboard without life jacket
Police believe a fisherman currently missing in Tasmania’s north may have ended up in the water without a life jacket.
75-year-old Kerry Frankcombe was last seen leaving the Port Sorell boat ramp in a six-metre half-cab vessel for a fishing trip on Sunday.
Inspector Shane LeFevre said the Westpac Rescue helicopter has again been deployed to search waters off the Tasmanian coast between Port Sorell and Beechford.
“Unfortunately, the significant number of resources we have deployed in the search so far have not located Mr Frankcombe,” LeFevre said.
“At this stage we believe Mr Frankcombe has ended up in the water, without a life jacket.”
“Our thoughts continue to be with Mr Frankcombe’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
Earlier this week Inspector Lefevre said forensic examinations would be conducted on the boat, which he 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”.
