Timothy MAHER

 

 

 

    

                                   

 

A picture of the pairâ??s boat, which was retrieved from waters Sunday. Picture: Queensland Police

 

 

Missing fishermen's bucket found in Moreton Bay as search enters fourth day

By Toby Crockford  Brisbane Times

 

A small white bucket belonging to two missing Brisbane fishermen has been found in Moreton Bay.

The search and rescue operation entered its fourth day on Wednesday and the public holiday could be helpful and a hindrance for authorities.

Police expected more people to be on the water on Ekka People's Day and while that meant more eyes scanning for items of interest, authorities warned boaties not to get in the way of the search.

Carwyn Massey, 25, and Timothy Maher, 32, phoned family about 10.15pm on Saturday to say they were heading back to shore after a day-long fishing trip, but they did not arrive.

 

Brisbane Water Police Senior Sergeant David Edden said the bucket was found within the search area on Tuesday.

The missing men's family, some of whom joined in the search effort in boats on Tuesday, confirmed the bucket belonged to the two friends.

 

 

 

 

 

The search would concentrate around Green, Mud and St Helena islands on Wednesday and involve Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue vessels as well as the PolAir and Rescue 500 helicopters.

The missing men's 3.3-metre aluminium dinghy was found near Green Island about 5pm on Sunday, with only a small part of the bow sticking out of the water.

 

Bayside Patrol Group Inspector Lindsay Kilpatrick said on Monday that lifejackets and fishing equipment were found in the water near the stricken tinnie.

The stricken tinnie was towed back to the Port of Brisbane on Monday.

Police said officers continued to keep the families of the two young men up to date with the details of the search and rescue operation.

Mr Massey's sister Rhiannon posted on social media on Sunday afternoon pleading for help to find her brother.

 

"My brother, Carwyn Massey, has been missing since last night. If anyone hears anything please contact the police or myself and my family," she wrote.

If anyone finds any item of interest in Moreton Bay, they should contact Brisbane Water Police Brisbane on 3895 0333.

 

 

Searchers give up hope of finding missing fishermen alive

By Jocelyn Garcia - SMH

 

Queensland police have given up hope of finding two missing Brisbane fishermen alive after a week-long search of Moreton Bay waters to find them.

The air, land and sea search for Carwyn Massey, 25, and Timothy Maher, 32, was scaled back on Thursday and finally called off on Friday.

The fishermen phoned family about 10.15pm last Saturday and said they were heading back to shore after a day trip but they never made it back to White Island.

Dozens of vessels scoured the area and searchers found the stricken dinghy, fishing equipment and life jackets, as well as a white bucket the men had taken with them.

Police said strong westerly winds meant weather conditions on Moreton Bay were not favourable for small boats.

A spokesman said police had since told the families the sad news of the fishermen's survival rate.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the men at this very difficult time," he said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Missing fisherman's body found, police confirm


 

A body found in Brisbane's Moreton Bay is one of the two fishermen who went missing earlier this month, Queensland police have confirmed.

A massive week-long search failed to locate Timothy Maher, 32, and Carwyn Massey, 25, after their boat and fishing gear were found partially submerged.

A member of the public discovered Mr Massey’s body near St Helena Island about 8.30am on Monday. A post-mortem examination confirmed his identity, police advised on Thursday.

Mr Maher is still missing.

 

A land and sea search was called off on August 16, about seven days after the men failed to return home from a fishing trip.

Their 3.3-metre blue aluminium dinghy was found several kilometres off Green Island the day after their disappearance.