Search Launched After Empty Boat Found Off Gold Coast

A large-scale, multi-agency search is underway off the Gold Coast for a missing man after his boat was discovered drifting without anyone on board early Friday morning.

Police were alerted about 7pm on Thursday when a black half-cabin pleasure craft failed to return to Runaway Bay Marina as scheduled. Initial searches of nearby waterways and seaways were carried out, with repeated attempts made to contact the vessel via marine radio.

The boat was later located at about 2am on Friday, approximately 25 nautical miles - around 50 kilometres - south-east of the Gold Coast Seaway. No occupants were found on board.

Authorities have since expanded the operation into a cross-border search, involving air and sea assets. An Australian Maritime Safety Authority rescue aircraft was deployed from Essendon in Melbourne, spending several hours scouring coastal waters before landing at Gold Coast Airport shortly after 5am.

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Point Danger joined Queensland and New South Wales authorities on Friday morning, with vessels launching shortly after 8:30am to assist with the ongoing search effort.

Inspector John Murray said offshore conditions were favourable, with calm seas and light winds aiding operations. He confirmed marine rescue units and volunteer radio operators had been working through the night and would continue supporting the search until further notice.

Police are urging anyone who may have information about the missing man or the vessel's movements to contact authorities.