Marine Search: Empty canoe found on Moreton Bay

On Monday morning (June 256. 2017), Brisbane Water Police were coordinating a search in Moreton Bay following the discovery of an empty canoe.

At 6.30am, police were notified that a canoe had been found drifting near South West Rocks on Peel Island in Moreton Bay.

The canoe is about 240cm long, yellow in colour with a blue band. There were two fishing rods in the canoe and fresh bait.

It is unknown if anyone has fallen out of the canoe or if it has drifted away from a campsite.

There were three water police vessels and two helicopters conducting a search of Moreton Bay in relation to the matter.

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the canoe or can supply further information to contact them.

Empty boats and watercraft adrift always raise the concerns of safety and rescue authorities and if you happen to find an empty vessel waste no time reporting it to authorities.

A small empty boat was found over the weekend off Shag Island, a short distance from Fisherman Bay on Yorke Peninsula, in South Australia.

The body of a 93 year-old-fisherman was later discovered after a land and sea search. The great grandfather had lived a simple life and loved the sea, a family friend said.

"He passed on doing something that he loved," Daryle Johns said.

"He did a lot of fishing by himself for the last 10 or 12 years."

Small tinnies and paddle craft feature in a large number of boating incidents and fatalities in all states, prompting new lifejacket laws and safety-awareness campaigns for kayakers and canoeists from marine authorities.

Meantime, the search continues in Moreton Bay. If you can help call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. We hope this is just a lots canoe.

More at Queensland Police.

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