Marine Rescue NSW crew returns to base following three-hour search for missing man off Illawarra Coast

A volunteer crew on board Martine Rescue NSW vessel Botany Port Hacking 30 has been stood down from the multi-agency search for a man feared missing while rock fishing in the Royal National Park.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said BH 30 began to return to base just after 12pm.

“Conditions were deteriorating with the wind and swell increasing.

“The rain also made visibility poor.

“The crew on board BH 30 conducted multiple legs of a parallel coastal search pattern from the northern end of Wattamolla Beach to the northern end of Garie Beach,” Inspector Raymond said.