Fears grow for missing boatie

A large search effort has failed to find a deckhand missing in waters near Swain Reefs, Central Queensland, since this morning.

Police said the 35-year-old was last seen on charter boat MV Night Crossing about 2am, with his crew raising the alarm about two hours later after he was unable to be found on board.

Six vessels, including water police, and two fixed-wing aircraft spent this afternoon searching waters off Yeppoon for the man, but failed to find him.

The Night Crossing is a purpose-built fishing machine, designed for adventures on the Great Barrier Reef.

Owner Raymond Gleeson said he was “shocked” by the deckhand’s disappearance.

“All our thoughts are with our crew member and his family and everything is being done now to find out what has happened,” Mr Gleeson said.

The search will re-commence tomorrow.

Investigators have urged any boat users in the area to be on lookout.

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