Details | |||
Name: | ANDELIERO Tony | Sex: | Male |
Year of Birth: | 1963 | Age when missing: | 61 |
At Time of Disappearance | |||||
Age: | 61 | Height (cm): | 0.0 | Build: | Medium |
Hair Colour: | Black | Eye Colour: | Brown | Complexion: | Light Brown |
Nationality: | Racial Appearance: |
Circumstances |
Tony Andeliero is described as Mediterranean appearance, approx 118kg, 175cm tall, brown eyes, balding head, unshaven, no tattoos. Last seen wearing black thongs, blue/black t-shirt & blue/black denim shorts. LAST SEEN: 0823hrs Friday 03/01/2025 - Port Kembla Boat Ramp NSW. |
The challenge is the vast size of the search area, crews are looking everywhere from Lake Illawarra to the shore and even further out to sea.
After four days scouring an almost 30-kilometre stretch of coastline in the New South Wales Illawarra region, police have suspended the search for fisherman Tony Andeliero.
The 63-year-old's aluminium boat was found by a member of the public floating in waters near Windang Island, south of Wollongong, on Friday night.
It's believed the experienced local fisherman launched his boat from Port Kembla boat ramp, leaving his vehicle and trailer in the nearby car park.
A multi-agency search involving Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and State Emergency Service, was launched shortly after the empty boat was discovered.
Despite efforts, Mr Andeliero has not been found.
All agencies were stood down about 3pm on Monday, however they will continue to look for Mr Andeliero during their regular patrols.
Crews battled wild and windy weather over the weekend looking for the father and grandfather, with no success.
"Imagine hitting a 3-foot pothole every 10 metres," Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said on Monday.
"So crews, unfortunately, can get a little bit beaten up."
Marine Area Command, who is leading the investigation, said on Saturday they were looking at the possibility Mr Andeliero may have fallen overboard.
The search zone was extended further south the next day to Point Perpendicular in Jervis Bay following drift modelling results.
It was later adjusted north to Bass Point near Shell Cove.
"Ocean currents are reasonably predictable and I guess when the police do their drift modelling, there's multiple possibilities,"Inspector Massey said.
"They did a really good job," Ms Andeliero said.
"It's comforting to know that there was a lot of people out looking and doing everything they can."
The Forbes resident said suspending the search for her dad was something she expected to happen.
"We didn't think the search was going to go on forever. It was a lot of area to cover and the weather has not been great," she said.
She suspects her father, who she saw around Christmas, may have fallen overboard.
"It's the only thing we can think of," she said.
"Dad didn't want a funeral so we don't really know what's next."