Rescue crews scouring kilometres of NSW coastline near Port Macquarie for two missing European tourists remain hopeful the pair can be found alive.
Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux, both aged 20, haven't been seen since passers-by discovered their personal items at Shelley Beach on Monday morning.
Their rental car was found in a nearby car park with a number of other belongings - including travel documents - still inside.
One local claims to have seen towels and gear belonging to Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux on the sand late on Sunday afternoon, raising questions about when the pair arrived at the beach.
A ground and water search involving police divers, Marine Rescue, SES and others resumed on Wednesday morning.
Police Inspector Peter Neville says the operation remains focused on finding the men alive.
"We honestly believe these people could well be alive," he told reporters at the scene on Wednesday.
"At the moment this is strictly a rescue mission."
NSW Police in a statement noted, however, that "there has been no sign of the men".
Mr Palmer, an Englishman, and Mr Ferrieux, a Frenchman, have been close friends for years, according to their Facebook pages.
They both appear to have attended Sackville School, south of London.
NSW Police have been communicating with both the British and French consulates.
Authorities say they have been in touch with the families of two European tourists who went missing at a beach near Port Macquarie in New South Wales.
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