Arabic version: العثور على بحّار ميتاً بعد عملية بحث في غولد كوست

According to ABC News, a 55-year-old man who became separated from his boat off the Gold Coast has been found dead. Police located his body at 8:45am at the mouth of Saltwater Creek, near Hope Island, more than 12 hours after he was reported missing.

Emergency services were called to the Boykambil Esplanade Boat Ramp at Hope Island at about 7pm the previous day after reports that the man had been heard yelling for help. His body was found about 800 metres south of where he went missing following a major air and sea search.

Police said the man lived on a sailboat in the Broadwater and had been trying to steer his broken-down tinnie from shore, less than 50 metres away, back to his sailing boat using an anchor. He fell overboard during strong 25-knot winds and a high tide. The smaller boat was found several kilometres downstream near Coombabah Creek that night.

Acting Inspector Peter Venz said the man was reported to be a strong swimmer with no known medical conditions, but had badly cut his foot on barnacles earlier in the day. Police said the circumstances of how he entered the water were unclear and the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Marine Rescue Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland, water police, Surf Life Saving and aerial units joined the search, while family members searched on jet skis. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. Acting Inspector Venz urged boaters to consider conditions, tell others where they are going and wear a life safety vest.