Erowal Bay resident Jerry Brown. Picture: ADAM WRIGHT
The land, air and sea search for three men missing in the waters of St Georges Basin was scaled down yesterday.
Police, water police, police divers and a Polair helicopter took part in the search, along with the Westpac Lifesaver helicopter fitted with a thermal imaging camera, boats from Marine Rescue NSW, Shoalhaven and Sussex Inlet, as well as a vessel towing a sonar device.
Four men, Michael Wright, 38, his brother Scott Andrews, 34, Christopher Lewis, 20, and Matthew Dunn, 22, left Sanctuary Point boat ramp in a small tinny and paddled out into St Georges Basin about 10.30pm Sunday.
They had no lifejackets.
The search was suspended at 4pm yesterday. It was believed the only thing that had been found was some clothing.
Mr Dunn was rescued by Erowal Bay resident Jerry Brown just after 2am after screams for help were heard from the water.
Mr Brown said a better emergency response plan was needed for St Georges Basin.
While no-one is sure what time the boat actually tipped over, by the time Mr Brown reached the scene on his surfboard only one man was left clinging to the boat.
Minutes after Mr Brown pulled survivor Matthew Dunn to safety, the boat sank, but it was another 45 minutes before a rescue boat reached that part of the basin.