Grave fears for missing fisherman

Queensland police have scaled down a major rescue operation for an avid fisherman who went missing off the Townsville coast three days ago.

Colin Palmer, 41, and his friend, 45, were out boating at Cleveland Bay when a wave suddenly knocked them both overboard on Friday night.

The pair were unable to get back to their boat and tried to swim towards shore when they suddenly became separated in the darkness.

Mr Palmer and his four metre boat have not been seen since.

Mr Palmer’s friend was rescued after a commercial fishing vessel spotted him in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Air, land and sea search parties swept across Cleveland Bay, Palm Island and Magnetic Island over the weekend.

Authorities announced the search would scale back on Tuesday due to reduced resources.

“The search for missing fisherman Colin Palmer will continue tomorrow with a reduced number of resources,” a police statement said.

Senior Sergeant Robert Dusha said authorities were stilling “holding out hope” of finding Mr Palmer.

“We’ve covered this area extensively and very, very thoroughly, and we will continue to do so for the sake of the family to help them come to some answers as to what has taken place,” he said.

Those involved in the search included volunteer Marine Rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland, Surf Life Saving, SES and members of the public.

“We’re searching for any evidence of this gentlemen or any evidence that could assist us in locating him and the boat.” Mr Dusha said.

“There is a possibility a boat could sink out there, but I’m not sure if that has happened or not.”

Police have not confirmed if Mr Palmer had been wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

Family and friends who are “praying for a miracle” took to social media to share their devastation.

“It’s too hard to even think about,” one user wrote.

“He would give anyone the shirt off his back,” another wrote.

The incident follows the tragic death of Jed Farraway, 28, who fell overboard when the boat he was on struck a marker buoy in waters off Port Alma near Rockhampton a month ago.

The body of the Central Queensland fisherman was found after an extensive search operation involving water police coast guard, the RACQ rescue helicopter and police divers.

Three other men were rescued, including a man in his 20s who was flown to Rockhampton hospital in a serious but stable condition.

They have all since recovered from their physical injuries.

Tributes flowed online, with family and friends describing Mr Farraway as an “Aussie larrikin” with “character”.

Anyone who has seen a white Quintrex Coast Runner with registration RD806Q is urged to come forward to police as the search continues for Mr Palmer.