4.30pm
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Police say three men who were killed in a boating incident overnight were from the Illawarra and familiar with the area.
Acting Inspector Jayson Joerdens from Wollongong police said two of the men were from the same family and the third was a family friend.
Two men were in their 40s, while the other was in his 20s.
A member of the public found the body of one of the men at Corrimal Beach about 10.30am, while the two other men were discovered with the upturned boat early in the afternoon.
Emergency services found the boat about five kilometres east of Port Kembla.
Acting Insp Joerdens said it was too early to say whether the men were wearing life jackets, but establishing that would form part of the investigation.
"It's still too early to establish exactly what went wrong with their trip out last night, and that'll be investigated throughout the week," he said.
Acting Insp Joerdens said he was not aware of how experienced the men were in terms of boating, but confirmed "they've been at that location several times before".
Surf Life Saving NSW Illawarra duty officer Anthony Turner said conditions on Saturday night, when the men went missing, were quite gusty at times, with a westerly blowing offshore.
"Generally the conditions were quite OK, but may have been a little bit rough further out to see, with the windy, gusty conditions," Mr Turner said.
He said the tragedy highlighted the importance of checking weather conditions, wearing a life jacket at all times, letting loved ones know of plans, logging on and off with Marine Rescue, and "if in doubt, just don't go out".
3.15pm
The bodies of three men have been found in the search for a boat that went missing off the coast of Wollongong overnight.
Three men left the Bellambi boat ramp on a runabout at 2pm on Saturday, but failed to return as scheduled.
Family members alerted police about 6am Sunday and a search began, involving officers from the Wollongong Police District, Marine Area Command and PolAir, along with members of Surf Life Saving NSW and Marine Rescue volunteer crews from Port Kembla and Shellharbour.
The men's utility and boat trailer were found in the boat ramp car park.
Three bodies and the upturned boat have since been recovered, although the bodies have not formally been identified.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
3pm
An upturned boat and a body have been discovered in the search for a vessel that went missing overnight with three people onboard.
The body of a man washed up on the beach near Bellambi Point on Sunday morning.
A boat has since been found off Port Kembla.
Three men set out from Bellambi boat ramp in a runabout about 2pm on Saturday.
They were due to return home at 2am, but family reported them missing about 6am.
More to come.
Earlier
A police operation is underway off the seas of Wollongong after three men were reported overdue from a fishing trip.
The men were on board a 4.6-metre runabout that left from Bellambi boat ramp at 2pm on Saturday.
They reportedly planned to return about 2am, and family members alerted police at 6am on Sunday when the boat did not return as scheduled.
The mens' utility and boat trailer have been found in the boat ramp car park.
Marine Rescue vessels from Port Kembla and Shellharbour, along with the NSW Police Force's Marine Area Command, are searching for the boat offshore.
PolAir has also been called to assist and members of Surf Life Saving NSW are also helping in the search for the men.
Marine Rescue is broadcasting Securite alerts, asking all other boaters in the region to look out for the boat.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Wollongong Police.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
