Boatie found dead in waters off Gold Coast after falling overboard from tinny

The body of a boatie who went missing in waters off the Gold Coast yesterday has been found.

Emergency services were called to the Boykambil Esplanade Boat Ramp at Hope Island about 7pm yesterday after reports the man was heard yelling for help.

Following a major air and sea search, police said officers found a man’s body at 8:45am today at the mouth of Saltwater Creek, about 800 metres south from where he went missing.

Police said the 55-year-old, who lived on a sailboat in the Broadwater, fell overboard from his broken-down tinnie, which he was trying to steer from shore less than 50m away, back to his sailing boat, using an anchor.

Acting Inspector Peter Venz said the incident occurred during strong 25-knot winds and a high tide.

“In a small tinnie, that’s quite extreme conditions to be out in the water,” he said.

“Those two factors alone would have made it extremely difficult and tiring for that gentleman to manually pull himself [back] to his own vessel.”

The smaller boat was found several kilometres downstream, near Coombabah Creek, last night.

Acting Inspector Venz said the man was reported to be a strong swimmer with no known medical conditions, but he had badly cut his foot on barnacles earlier in the day.

The circumstances of how he ended up in the water were unclear but police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Family grieving

An operation involving Marine Rescue Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland, water police, Surf Life Saving, and aerial units was launched to find the man yesterday, going into the early hours of the morning and resuming at first light today.

The man’s family members also joined the search on their jet skis.

“They’re in a state of shock,” Acting Inspector Venz said.

“They are very grateful for all the rescuers that were involved in this, [so] that at least their loved one was located and they can put closure on it.”

Acting Inspector Venz said the incident stressed the need to take precautions when out on the water.

“Be aware of the conditions. Let people know where you’re going. Wear a life safety vest when you’re out on the boat,” he said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.