NSW floodwaters hamper search for skipper

3 Feb 2012, 4:24 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The search for a yacht captain missing off the NSW north coast has entered its second day with heavy rain hindering the operation.

Floodwaters are hampering a two-day search for a 75-year-old yacht captain missing on the NSW north coast.

The search near Port Macquarie for the Sydney man entered its second day on Friday with no success.

A police spokesman said heavy rains that have flooded rivers and towns in northern NSW have pushed their way into the Hastings River and made search efforts more difficult.

Marine Rescue were called out to assist a yacht that had become grounded on a sandbar on the Hastings River about 10pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

At the time the crew told rescuers they didn't require immediate help and would wait until high tide to be towed.

The Marine Rescue crew returned about six hours later to take the yacht to a nearby marina.

It was then that two crew members noticed the captain was missing from the yacht.

A search was immediately launched with the help of Marine Rescue, the SES, local surf lifesavers and the Rural Fire Service helicopter.

Police divers continue to search the river with emergency crews checking river shorelines and coastal areas near the mouth of the river.

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