Search efforts for a missing swimmer off the Mid North Coast of New South Wales (NSW) will continue tomorrow morning following an unsuccessful operation that lasted for several hours. The 20-year-old man was last spotted at Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie around 3:40 PM. Eyewitnesses reported seeing him enter the water, but he did not re-emerge.
A coordinated response involving police, the Marine Area Command, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW Marine Rescue, and Surf Life Saving NSW commenced but was halted at nightfall without finding any sign of the missing swimmer. Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray noted that the conditions at sea were challenging, with a swell reaching two and a half metres, making the search uncomfortable for the volunteer crews. Despite the difficulties, the teams persisted until they were officially stood down for the evening at 6 PM.
For tomorrow’s continuation of the search, two vessels and two jet skis from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie will set out at 8 AM, focusing on the rock formations surrounding Shelly Beach and extending around 5.5 kilometres into the ocean. Authorities have provided a description of the missing man, indicating he is of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent and was last seen wearing black swim shorts. The community remains hopeful for his safe return as the search resumes.