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Marine Rescue NSW crews search for missing surfer near Wooli – UPDATE – MAN FOUND

10.30 am – UPDATE – Man missing from state’s north located

A man missing from the state’s north since yesterday has been located.

The 19-year-old man left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 9 July 2025) towards Wooli Beach.

When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District.

Following a land and water search around Wooli Beach including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, the man was located safe today (Thursday 10 July 2025) on a small island off Wooli.

Police thank the public and media for their assistance.

Volunteer crews from Marine Rescue Wooli and Coffs Harbour will this morning continue the search for a missing 19-year-old male surfer off One Tree Trail, on the state’s Mid North Coast.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said Marine Rescue NSW vessel Wooli 30 was tasked by the NSW Police Marine Area Command just before 10pm last night (9 July).

“A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed.

“The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south.

“Conditions were favourable offshore.

Wooli 30 returned to base at 1am after being stood down for the night,” Inspector Murray said.

Wooli 30 and Coffs Harbour 30 will be back on the water at 8am to continue the search.

“The volunteer crews will conduct search patterns under the direction of Marine Area Command.

“Conditions offshore are again favourable this morning,” Inspector Murray said.

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.