- Nelson Chan, 47, and his son Josh, 17, are missing
- The couple are feared to have been swept away by the rocks.
The desperate search to find a father and son who were feared lost at sea after disappearing during a fishing trip has been called off as all hope of finding them alive fades.
Nelson Chan, 47, and his son Joshua, 17, went missing while squid fishing in Storm Bay, at the southern end of Kiama Blowhole, on Monday.
They left their home in Liverpool, western Sydney, at 3pm and were due to arrive home by midnight.
But when they did not return, Clarissa Chan became worried about her husband and son and called triple zero.
He has spent the last three days on the cliff watching rescuers search for his loved ones.
“We have been married for 19 years,” Ms. Chan said. Mercury on Thursday, as tears streamed down her face.
Pictured are missing Josh (left) and Nelson Chan.
Father and son went missing while fishing at Stormy Bay in Kiama (pictured)
A rescue boat is pictured Tuesday amid the search for the father and son.
Ms Chan said the couple, who regularly fish in the area, arrived in Kiama at 5pm and were last in contact with their family at 5.20pm.
They were last seen by a passerby at 5.30pm, and authorities fear a giant wave swept them off the rocks shortly after.
A massive search operation covered more than 16km of coastline as lifeguards on jet skis, police divers and rescue boats scoured the waters.
Meanwhile, SES volunteers have been combing the headland while helicopters have helped from the air. The only items recovered so far by police have been a fishing rod hidden in the rocks and a mobile phone.
Police said the duo are strong swimmers but were not wearing life jackets.
“We are very concerned,” New South Wales Police Superintendent Craig Ireland said yesterday.
“It is very likely that they were swept off the rocks. There was a big swell and high tide last night when they were fishing.
‘We are sorry to hear about the family’s situation and will do everything possible to locate them.”
On Thursday, New South Wales Police confirmed the search operation had been called off after finding no further trace of the men over the past three days.
“Following an extensive search, the operation was called off at around 1.30pm today,” New South Wales Police said.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.’
Clarissa Chan (pictured with her husband) has been in Kiama observing the searchers for the past three days.