Paul BRAZIER
Paul BRAZIER
The family of a man missing and feared dead off Queensland's Fraser Coast is hoping for closure as investigations continue into his disappearance.
Paul Brazier never returned from a fishing trip he set out on early last week.
Search crews found his boat near Fraser Island but failed to find the fisherman.
The search was called off yesterday.
Hervey Bay Water Police Sergeant Paul Bacon says investigators will examine his boat to try to uncover what happened.
"Obviously the family and friends are understandably upset and distressed with this," he said.
"They're obviously looking for closure, so hopefully moving from the search, moving forward with the investigation, hopefully we can get some more answers for the family."
Sergeant Bacon said Mr Brazier was an experienced fisherman who knew the area well and it was understood he had safety equipment on board, including lifejackets and a radio distress beacon.
Police have said it was unclear if he was wearing a lifejacket when the boat overturned.
Officers are urging all boaties to take extra care on the water as travel restrictions ease across the state and many may venture out for the first time in months.
"If you haven't had your boat serviced, have it serviced," Sergeant Bacon said.
"Go through all your safety equipment, double check everything before venturing out.
"Book in with your local VMR [volunteer marine rescue] groups and let people know where you're going — if something were to happen it certainly helps us in narrowing down any potential search area."
Three months after his mysterious disappearance, Hervey Bay’s Paul Brazier has been farewelled at a funeral service today. He was remembered as a “remarkable son, boy and man”.
A Hervey Bay newlywed who vanished mysteriously in May has been farewelled at a funeral service.
Friends and family of Paul Brazier, 37, acknowledged the horrific circumstances that befell them on May 25 when he failed to return from a fishing trip.
Too distraught to speak at the funeral, Mr Brazier wife, Terri, had her statement read out by a friend.
The pair had been married for less than a year.
“The hardest part is that there is no closure – you‘ll always be out there,” the statement said.
“We had so many plans, so many dreams. It breaks me that our kids will not have you in their lives. They always adored you.”
The funeral service heard that Mr Brazier beat cancer after chemotherapy, radiation therapy and several bouts of surgery.
Despite still suffering cracked skin from his treatment, he put on protective clothing and went straight back out on the water fishing again to overcome his anguish.
On the day he vanished he went fishing. Days later, police found his upturned boat, but an extensive air and sea search for Mr Brazier found nothing more.
“Even from a young age my Paulie was helping others,” Mr Brazier’s tearful mother said.
“I got to be the mother of a remarkable son, boy and man.
“I think to sum out Paul‘s personality, he was always trying his best while sometimes thinking his best wasn’t good enough.”