Police have scaled down a major search and rescue operation for a fisherman missing off the Townsville coast for four days, but say they are still "holding out hope" of finding him alive.
Colin Palmer, 41, was boating with a friend in Cleveland Bay on Friday night when a wave knocked them both overboard.
Unable to get back to their boat, the pair tried to swim towards shore but became separated in the darkness.
Mr Palmer’s friend, a 45-year-old man, was rescued early Saturday morning after being spotted by a commercial fishing vessel.
Police launched an extensive air and sea search over the weekend but have found no sign of Mr Palmer or his four-metre boat.
Late Monday, police confirmed they had scaled down the operation.
A 'traumatic time' for family and friends
Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said the search would continue between Cleveland Bay and Palm Island with reduced resources.
"We're doing everything we can to make sure that all ground is covered to locate both the fisherman and the vessel," he said.
"When our search and rescue coordinators are confident that they've done all that they can is when we'll think about stopping ... but we're not at that point yet."
Vessels from the Coast Guard, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland, Surf Life Saving and the SES have been involved in the operation, with friends and relatives of the missing man also taking part.
Acting Chief Superintendent Lawson said police were in constant contact with Mr Palmer's family.
"At the moment, when nobody knows where he is, it's a very traumatic and difficult time," he said.
"Our thoughts are with them – it's something nobody wants their relatives or anyone to go through."
