22-07-2025
Search continues for missing Sussex Inlet fisher Geoff Buchanan along NSW coast
New South Wales police say south coast fisherman Geoff Buchanan could possibly have suffered a medical episode before going missing.
A multi-agency search for Mr Buchanan started on Saturday evening after the Sussex Inlet man failed to return to the Batemans Bay Marina.
It is believed the 56-year-old was heading towards the continental shelf to catch tuna.
A close friend of Mr Buchanan, and manager of the Batemans Bay d'Albora marina, Mitch Chaffey, said Mr Buchanan was a highly experienced waterman.
NSW Police Marine Area Command officer Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said Mr Buchanan was a diabetic and police were not ruling out him suffering a medical episode on board.
"The gentleman does have health issues managing diabetes that we're extremely concerned about … we understand he had the medication," Inspector Brazzill said.
"But if something did happen where he had an episode and couldn't get to his medication that is our grave concern.
"We're still holding out hope that we find the gentleman, find the boat and we'll continue for now."
The search, which was initially focused between Narooma and Bermagui, was expanded on Monday to between Port Stephens and the Victorian border after unconfirmed sightings of the vessel by the public.
Inspector Brazzill said using drift modelling, the search area had expanded to cover 9,200 square nautical miles stretching from Bass Straight to Port Stephens.
However, he said there would be a particular focus further out to sea from the south coast of New South Wales on Tuesday.
"We're aware there is a large fishing fleet probably about 50 miles off the coast down that way, which I think the Rescue Coordination Centre have obviously communicated to those people to keep an eye out as well," Inspector Brazzill said.
Inspector Brazzill said it was highly unusual the extensive search had not found any trace of the man or boat.
He said police were doubling down on an appeal for public help.
Officers have released an image of his boat, a white, eight-metre Avor motor cruiser, with a 300-horsepower Mercury brand motor and registration AMG403N.
Mr Chaffey said Mr Buchanan was planning to fish for tuna near the continental shelf and potentially stop for a dive on the way back on Saturday.
He said Mr Buchanan was meant to be on the boat with his friend that day but the friend could not make it.
"[Mr Buchanan] was very safety conscious," he said.
Police said the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet, military aircraft, marine rescue and surf life saving vessels had been involved in the search.
