The search for a rock fisherman who went missing at Fingal Bay on Saturday will continue for a third day on Monday.
Emergency services responded just before 9.30am Saturday after reports four rock fishers were swept into the waters of Fingal Bay.
Two men in their 50s and a woman in her 40s, who were able to make it back onto the rocks, had to be winched from a precarious position near Lighthouse Trail, where they were treated by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter's critical care team before being taken to hospital.
A man in his 60s was swept underwater and has not been seen since, authorities said.
Police from Port Stephens-Hunter district, Marine Area Command, local Water Police, PolAir, Marine Rescue and surf life savers conducted an extensive search on the water and from the air but the effort was suspended amid dangerous conditions about 6.30pm on Saturday.
Various police units resumed their search on Sunday however the man could still not be found. A NSW Police spokesperson said officers would continue searching on Monday.
Fingal Bay surf life savers assisted throughout Saturday's on-water search effort. A spokesperson said surf life saving assets were stood down due to the dangerous conditions on Saturday afternoon.
Winds blowing from the Tasman combined with a southerly swell from the Southern Ocean battered the Hunter coastline on Saturday.
with high waves between five- and six feet. Surf forecasters noted the strong energy in the swell and fast-moving water. Newcastle beach was closed due to the conditions.
A man in his 20s was also injured at Catherine Hill Bay on Saturday after being hit by a large wave at Moonee Beach.
Emergency services were called to a walking track off Moonee Beach about 12.45pm.
NSW Ambulance said the man had injuries to his legs which were caused by a wave hitting him onto rocks
He was taken to Belmont Hospital in a stable condition.
