Major search continues for missing fisherman Tony Andeliero after boat found drifting off Illawarra coast

A major search is continuing for missing fisherman Tony Andeliero after his boat was found empty drifting in waters off the Illawarra coast on Friday.

The fishing boat was found 500m off Windang Island near Warilla about 6.40pm, with the 61-year-old father nowhere to be seen.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dozens of crews look for missing fisherman Tony Andeliero

Andeliero set off on his boat from the Port Kembla boat ramp around 8am on Friday.

The 4m long Quintrex aluminium boat had travelled through choppy seas and strong winds before it was found roughly 12km from where it set off.

Significant resources have been deployed in the search for Andeliero, with help from the Lake Illawarra police, Marine Area Command, PolAir, Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving members.

Foot patrols along the shoreline were also conducted overnight on Saturday, however search efforts were unsuccessful.

Later that day Andeliero’s family, including his daughters Gemma and Kayla, visited the Port Kembla boat ramp where their father’s car was still located.

“We actually live five hours away so we drove through the night and got here about 1am this morning,” Kayla said.

“We haven’t really had time to stop and process just yet.

“It’s hard when we don’t even know what’s happened or where he is.”

Andeliero has been described by loved ones as a sensible and experienced fisherman who knows the waters where he set off from well.

“He’s a really good fisherman, he’s been doing it since he was a child,” Kayla said.

“We just want him to be found.”

It’s unclear whether Andeliero was wearing a life jacket while aboard the boat.

Inspector Will Collins said the vessel was found without any damage.

“There’s nothing untoward inside the vessel that would have (suggested) that anything other than (Andeliero has) come over the side of the boat,” he said.

The search will resume again on Sunday morning.