Three bodies recovered during search for missing Wollongong fishermen

Three bodies and a capsized boat have been recovered during the search for a group of missing fishermen at Wollongong.

The fishermen were last seen boarding a boat that left Bellambi Beach at 2pm on Saturday.

Two were from the same family and the third was a family friend. Their ages ranged from 20 to 40.

Family members alerted authorities at 6am today when the men did not return home on time.

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Officers from Wollongong police, Marine Area Command and PolAir, and members of Surf Life Saving NSW led the search.

The upturned boat was located off Port Kembla and the three bodies have yet to be formally identified.

"We don't know of their experience however, they've been at that location several times before," NSW Police acting Inspector Jayson Joerdens said.

Surf Life Saving NSW's Anthony Turner said the search conditions were quite gusty.

"It may have been a little bit rough further out to sea," Mr Turner said.

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The ute the men were travelling in and their boat trailer were located in the boat ramp car park at Bellambi.

"It's still too early to establish exactly what went wrong with their trip out last night and that will be investigated throughout the week," Inspector Joerdens said, on Sunday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.