THE search for a swimmer missing off Smoky Cape entered its third day today (Thursday), with hope all but gone that the man will be found alive.
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Police divers were searching the area just off the beach where the man disappeared.
The 25-year-old Swedish born British resident had previously visited the area as a child, and was returning to visit friends as he travelled up the coast.
The man had only been in Australia for five weeks and had enrolled as a student in Sydney.
He and his travelling companion stopped at Smoky Cape Beach on Tuesday about 5pm when he went into the surf for a swim.
His friend lost sight of the man in the surf and when he did not reappear he contacted police.
A search began almost immediately under the command of the police and involving the Marine Rescue NSW Trial Bay unit and IRBs and jet-skis from the SWR Surf Lifesaving Club.
It continued until about 8.20pm on Tuesday before it was called off for the night.
The search continued on Wednesday when the police helicopter, a police launch, the Westpac Rescue helicopter and lifesavers from Hat Head, Scotts Head and Port Macquarie joined the search.
SES volunteers manned an observation post at Smoky Cape lighthouse and conducted searches of the shoreline in the hope of finding the man.
Search conditions in the general area were described as ‘good’ although a southerly swell made the search more difficult for the police divers close to the shore at Smoky Cape.
Police said that the man's disappearance appeared to be a tragic accident.
“It looks like we just have a young man, unfamiliar with Australian surf conditions, who has gone for a swim at a beach he doesn’t know and he has got into trouble,” Inspector Mick Aldridge said.