Fixed-wing aircraft to aid search for missing trawler

The search for three missing fishermen, who disappeared more than a week ago off the Pilbara coast, will continue tomorrow as police use a fixed-wing aircraft to look for clues.

WA Police issued a statement this afternoon that said officers had “engaged a local fixed high wing aircraft to be used off Dampier in the morning of July 22” to help with the search.

The statement said police believed the weather conditions forcasted for tomorrow would provide the best opportunity to undertake an aerial observation.

“There will be SES and police observers on the plane searching for any signs of the missing vessel the “Returner”,” the statement read. “The search area will cover approximately 110SqNM.

“The observers will be paying particular attention to any signs of an oil slick or signs suggesting the vessel’s location under the water.”

Chad Fairley, 30, Mason Carter, 26, Murray Turner, 57, are the three crewmen missing since the vessel’s transponder deactivated about 1am on Saturday a week ago.

Following the drama of an alleged asylum seeker vessel spotted off the Dampier coast yesterday morning, police boat Delphinus has also re-joined the search team after being redeployed off-shore to help with that incident.

Police were quick to reassure the public that the absence of the Delphinus had not hampered the search for the missing vessel.

Police will be continuing their efforts to locate the vessel utilising a Department of Transport vessel and local vessels with 3d imagery capabilities.