Silas CREED,  Russell BULMER and Alban CREED

 

Silas Creed

Russell Bulmer

Update 4: Search and rescue operation, Cape Tribulation

QPS Media on Feb 3, 2021 @ 12:54pm

Over the past seven days Water Police, Marine rescue volunteers, civil aviation operators, AMSA, Marine Parks, Fisheries, Nautilus Aviation, additional police teams, local businesses, Yarrabah and wider community members have searched an extensive area off the coast of Cairns, Cape Tribulation and Little Fitzroy Island for three missing Far Northern men after they failed to return from a fishing trip to Cape Tribulation on January 26, 2021.

The men, aged 18, 27 and 37 were due back in Yarrabah that afternoon, after setting out on a 4.8 m white, centre console aluminium vessel with a blue canopy, registration VO317Q.

The trio were last seen around 8.30am on January 26 at a reef off Green Island where they appeared to be having engine trouble. They have not been heard from since.

A search was conducted by family and members of the Yarrabah community throughout the afternoon. During the early morning of January 27 an extensive search was commenced with the use of sophisticated equipment in an attempt to locate the missing men.

Between Yarrabah and North of Cooktown extensive land, sea and aerial searches were conducted with over 4,210 square nautical miles carefully examined. As a result of searching this area a number of items from the vessel have been located, these included fuel containers and a life jacket that are confirmed as coming from the missing vessel.

Following the advice from experts, yesterday afternoon the search and rescue was discontinued. Police however will continue to investigate the matter as a report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Investigating officers are encouraging anyone who was out on the water on January 26 who may have seen the missing men to contact police. Investigators are specifically focusing on anyone who was between Bat Reef and Yarrabah on that day.

In the event further items are washed up onto beaches north of Yarrabah, police are urging those community members to contact your local police station.

Police are continuing to provide constant updates and support to the families and the Yarrabah community.

Missing Yarrabah fishermen’s loved ones wait for news of search

An agonising wait for a positive end to the search for three missing fishermen lost at sea is taking its toll on Yarrabah families desperate for loved ones to be found safe and well.

Peter Carruthers, The Cairns Post
 

AN agonising wait for a positive end to the search for three missing fishermen lost at sea is taking its toll on families.

Russell Bulmer, 27, Alban Creed, 37, and his son Silas Creed, 18, have not been seen since Tuesday when they failed to return from a fishing trip.

Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said it had been a stressful time for the community.

“People are very concerned and worried and distraught but we have all come together to support each other during this very difficult time,” Mr Andrews said.

“We are hoping and praying that the three fishermen come back to their community.”

The three men were last seen about 8.30am on Tuesday at a reef near Green Island where they appeared to be having engine trouble.

They have not been heard from since.

On Friday, the already huge area covered by an air and sea search was expanded to include ocean off the coast of Cape York.

A day earlier the community of Yarrabah waited at the shore side for news of a safe return after launching about 10 local boats to assist in the official search.

At an end to the third day of the search Cr Ross Andrews said the community were hanging on to hope that the fishermen would be found safe and well.

“There is some hope there, King Jabaan the local (search) co-ordinator said they are not going to give up,” he said.

“(But) organisers with the support of one of the primary family members have temporarily suspended the search (on Friday) given the water conditions.

“Its tough on the families and the community but we are doing our best under really difficult circumstances.”

Cr Andrews said that police had been providing regular updates to families of the missing men.

The search is expected to continue until Sunday.

 

Missing fishermen: Police resume air and sea search for Yarrabah men

Police have not given up in the air and sea search for three missing fishermen

Pete Martinelli, The Cairns Post January 31, 2021 
 

UPDATE: An air and land search for three fishermen who went missing on Tuesday has resumed after police searchers spent Saturday scouring the sea off Cape York.

Water police vessel Perry Irwin has joined efforts to find the three men; Russell Bulmer, 27, Alban Creed, 37, and his son Silas Creed, 18, who have not been seen since Tuesday when they failed to return to Yarrabah from a fishing trip.

The three men were last seen about 8.30am on Tuesday at a reef near Green Island where they appeared to be having engine trouble.

They have not been heard from since.

On Friday, the already huge area covered by an air and sea search was expanded to cover an 1,800 sqkm search area, progressing north from Cape Tribulation to Wujal Wujal off the coast of Cape York.

Acting Inspector Andrew Cowie said a life jacket and fuel tank with an attached fuel line had been located on Friday and were confirmed as having come from the missing vessel.

Police call off search for three missing Yarrabah men, but their families aren't giving up

The families of three men missing in Far North Queensland have started a fundraising effort to keep the search going.

By 
Rae Johnstone

Source: 
NITV News

The police search for three missing men from Far North Queensland was called off last week, but the community of Yarrabah is not giving up.

Russell Bulmer, 27, Alban Creed, 37, and his son Silas Creed, 18, failed to return from a fishing trip on January 26 when they were last seen on their boat at a reef near Green Island.

It is believed they were having engine trouble. 

A life jacket, fuel tank, and three jerry cans confirmed to be from their missing boat were found during the seven-day police search for the men, which was called off after an 1800 square kilometre search area was covered by air and water.

Fundraising for fuel to continue the search is now a priority, along with a call out to anyone in the areas including Far North Queensland, Whitsunday Islands, Palm Islands, Wujal Wujal, Cooktown, Hopevale, Solomon Islands and surrounding waters to keep a lookout for the men. 

Senior ranger of the Gunggangji Land and Sea Ranger Service, Darryl Murgha, told the Cairns Post the Yarrabah community was shocked by the disappearance. They recently gathered on the beach to pray for the missing men. 

"We set out to find someone and haven't been able to do that", Queensland police Acting Inspector Andy Cowie said in a statement. 

Although not actively searching for the men, investigating officers are encouraging anyone out on the water on January 26 who may have seen the missing men to contact police - especially anyone who was between Bat Reef and Yarrabah that day. 

"Any items that are also located along the coastline that may be the debris from that vessel, can you please record that location, the time that you located, and immediately contact police," Acting Inspector Cowie said.

"That information is critical in giving some answers to the family."

Cairns: Maritime Union of Australia solidarity with Yarrabah families

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 4:40 PM AEDT
 
 
Maritime Union of Australia

The Maritime Union of Australia has expressed solidarity with the Yarrabah community as they continue to search for three missing men from the community.

Russell Bulmer, 27, Alban Creed, 37, and his son Silas Creed, 18, were last seen on their 4.8-metre aluminium boat at a reef near Green Island.
A formal air and sea search — which has since been called off — located a life jacket, fuel tank, and jerry cans from the missing boat, but found no sign of the three men or their vessel.
The Yarrabah community has been seeking the assistance of appropriately skilled volunteers to continue the search and rescue effort, believing the men may have made it to an island after running into difficulties.
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin has expressed support for the Yarrabah community as they continue to hope to at least learn what happened to the men.
“The families of these three men are not alone in their hopes, and we have informed the Mayor that we are at the ready to help them find closure,” Mr Crumlin said.
“The loss of these three men has been heartbreaking for their families and community, and the Queensland and Federal Governments should ensure every available resource is made available to help these families learn what has happened to these men who were much loved in their community.”