Search for missing trio continues unabated

The search for three men and a trawler missing off the Pilbara coast shows no sign of slowing down with Police and the families of those missing dedicated to finding closure.

Pilbara District Office Inspector Gary Nicolau said they had been overwhelmed by the support from friends and family of the missing men, as well as the efforts of the local community.

“We are not only working closely with local marine companies but also the families of these missing men to ensure every effort is made, and consideration given, while searching for the Returner,” he said.

“We remain optimistic in our endeavours to locate the Returner in the area of our search parameters.”

Mr Nicolau said Police met with the search party, which included industry and community funded vessels, this week to ensure resources were being used effectively.

A bake sale and raffle will be held at the Karratha City Shopping Centre from 9am tomorrow to raise further funds for the families of the men who were on board the missing trawler staying in the region.

The cakes have been made by members of the Karratha community and raffle items donated by stores in the shopping centre.

Online, the GoFundMe campaign has now raised more than $150,000 from more than 1000 donors.

Campaign creator Lisa Dawson said four survey boats as well as other vessels and aircraft were still scouring the area.

In an unrelated incident this morning, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority investigated the discovery of pallets 200km north of Truscott.

Three aircraft and a vessel were sent to search the area, but it was later reported the pallets, despite earlier concerns they were the remains of a raft, were just rubbish.

Despite rumours circulating the internet this morning, the AMSA said it was not believed the incident was in any way linked to the missing Returner.