A missing man and four children have been found on board a stolen yacht at Pretty Beach, north of Batemans Bay.
About 11am, police located the 42-year-old man and his two sons, aged 13 and 8, as well as a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy who are friends of the family. Police said earlier today that the man and older three children had been missing since leaving the man’s Batemans Bay home last night after a domestic argument.
The yacht was reported stolen at a Marina in Batemans Bay overnight. The four children have been conveyed by boat to Batemans Bay.
The 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.
He has been charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and granted conditional bail, to appear at Batemans Bay Local Court on 18 January 2016.
The search was conducted by Fisheries NSW, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Roads and Maritime Services, Marine Rescue and Rescue 24 from Wollongong.
Police thanked members of the community and media for their assistance with the matter and said officers from Far South Coast Local Area Command would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
EARLIER REPORT:
NSW police are searching for a man and three children who may be on a small boat on the Clyde River at Batemans Bay.
The 42-year-old man left his Beach Road, Batemans Bay home with his 13-year-old son and a 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy who are friends of the family at about 7pm yesterday. The man had just been involved in a domestic argument with his partner.
Police are not certain where the man and the children went, however they have received information that he may have taken a small boat out onto the Clyde River.
They have not been seen or heard from since leaving the home and police have concerns for their welfare.
Police from Far South Coast Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, PolAir and Marine Rescue are engaged in the search operation.
If you have information on the whereabouts of the man and children, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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