The search for a missing Tasmanian fisherman has gone on hold this weekend and will resume next week, police say.
75-year-old Deloraine man, Kerry Frankcombe, was last seen on September 10 after leaving for what was meant to be a day fishing trip from Port Sorell.
After he failed to return on Sunday afternoon, search crews mobilised and later found his boat unattended in waters about 12km off the coast of Beechford in the early hours of Monday morning.
Acting Western District Commander Rebecca Davis said that after five days of extensive land and sea searches, Frankcombe has not yet been located.
“Mr Frankcombe’s family wish to express their gratitude to members of the community and emergency services who have committed to the search effort and supported their family,” she said.
Commander Davis said search teams plan to again use the Westpac Rescue helicopter to cover a vast stretch of the northern coastline from Monday.
Police believe Frankcombe did not have a mobile phone on him at the time of his disappearance and say the emergency beacon on his boat was not activated.
It is believed he ended up in the water without a life jacket.
