Mt Barker man reported missing off Albany coast as huge search effort continues after boat found

A major search is underway off the coast of Albany after a 62-year-old Mt Barker man failed to return from a solo boating trip on Tuesday, with his boat found adrift near Michaelmas Island overnight.

WA Police report that the man’s family alerted authorities about 7.20pm on Tuesday after he did not return home.

Crews from the Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue alongside the RAC Rescue helicopter launched a search to locate the man on Tuesday night.

They found his 8m catamaran adrift near Michaelmas Island, about 30km east of Albany, but the man was not aboard the vessel.

A spokesman for WA Police confirmed the multi-agency search would continue on Wednesday, with a Police Air Wing aircraft, drones, Department of Transport vessels and additional Volunteer Marine Rescue crews joining the operation.

Beaches along the mainland, as well as waters in the vicinity of Breaksea and Michaelmas Islands, will be scoured.

More to come.