‘Grave concerns’ are held for a father and his teenage son who went missing while rock fishing near a popular tourist spot on the NSW South Coast.
A search was launched for the pair, aged 47 and 17, believed to be missing in waters off Kiama Blowhole, about 7.30am on Tuesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Urgent search for pair who went missing while fishing off South Coast.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
The pair failed to return to their southwestern Sydney home, police said, after a day of fishing at Storm Bay, south of Kiama Harbour.
The man’s car was located, along with fishing gear found along the rocks, Superintendent Craig Ireland, Commander, Lake Illawarra Police District said.
“We are assuming they have entered the water … no one has actually seen it occur but given the location of the fishing gear and the lack of communication, that’s the most likely scenario,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“If they have entered the water, it’s been some 17 hours, so I have grave concerns for their safety.”
Ireland said the men left their home in Liverpool on Monday afternoon to go fishing and were expected home about midnight, however, when they did not return, police received a concern for welfare call about 3am Tuesday.
“We have spoken briefly with the family … and the man’s wife is most upset and devastated,” he said.
It is not believed the men took life jackets with them, Ireland was told by family members.
The search continues and involves officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Marine Command said the sea conditions off Kiama were “fair”.
Anyone with information is urged to contact NSW Police.
