Police say they hold serious concerns for the welfare of a man who went missing off the Northern Territory's north-west coast two days ago after his boat capsized, as the air, land and sea search to locate him continues today.
It comes as police reveal the man's two male companions had to swim for about an hour to get to shore, and had to be treated for shock and exposure – though they were otherwise unharmed.
On Sunday afternoon, NT Police said an air, sea and land search was underway near the remote Aboriginal community of Wadeye, around 400 kilometres south-west of Darwin.
They said police were notified on Saturday night that a boat had capsized in a channel on the coast to the community's north.
The boat struck trouble in water between the Old Mission site and Dorcherty Island, an area known for recreational fishing.
"Two people in the boat have been accounted for but a third occupant is still presumed missing in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf," police said in a statement.
Aboriginal rangers and local groups joined police in the search of the water and coastline.
On Monday morning, police said they were continuing to search for the missing man, who they revealed is a 28-year-old Wadeye local.
They also said the man and his two companions, who are also Wadeye residents, had been on the water for a day of fishing.
NT Police Superintendent Kirk Pennuto said police held serious concerns for the man's safety.
"He has been missing for two days now and we do hope that he has made (it) to land somewhere," he said.
Superintendent Pennuto said the missing man's family were being kept informed of the search's progress.
