Search teams make heartbreaking decision after fisherman Ashleigh Haigh vanished off the coast of Australia

The desperate search for an experienced missing fisherman and father has been suspended by police, as loved ones raise funds to support his family.

Ashleigh Haigh, 44, was reported missing on Thursday night after he failed to return from a trip off the Gold Coast.

His empty black half-cabin pleasure craft was found 46km offshore at about 2am on Friday.

A day later, an inactive Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was discovered about 25km off Ballina on Saturday.

But on Sunday morning, police confirmed that the search and rescue operation had shifted to a recovery phase before efforts were suspended last night.

No further items or signs of life have been found despite police scouring more than 1,800 square nautical miles over four days – from the Gold Coast to the Northern Rivers region in NSW.

Mr Haigh is a former president and current member of the Gold Coast Game Fish Club, which is supporting his loved ones during this difficult time.

It is understood numerous members have joined the hunt for the missing fisherman.

+5
View gallery

Experienced fisherman Ashleigh Haigh (pictured, right) was reported missing on Thursday night after he failed to return from a trip off the Gold Coast

+5
View gallery

His empty black half-cabin pleasure craft was found 46km offshore about 2am on Friday

+5
View gallery

Authorities suspended the search for Mr Haigh on Sunday morning

Friends of Mr Haigh launched a GoFundMe to help ease the minds of his wife, Jess, and the family as they navigate this difficult period, raising more than $25,000 in 24 hours.

‘Ash, a very experienced game fisher, went out on Thursday to enjoy a day on the water, with all intentions of joining his family for dinner that night,’ the fundraiser said.

‘Unfortunately he has not come home and has not been able to be located after an exhausting search.

‘Ash was a pillar in his fishing club, he was an incredible dad, a loving partner and just an all-round top bloke.

‘We know that everyone who has ever come in contact with him will remember his infectious laugh, great sense of humour and have so many good times to share.

‘Losing Ash suddenly is unfathomable and we want Jess and the kids to not have the extra stress that comes with losing the main financial provider while they navigate this time.’

Police said officers continue to be in contact with the man’s family, who have been advised that the search has been suspended.

Acting Senior Sergeant Shannon Gray told reporters on Saturday that Mr Haigh’s boat was found ‘generally in good condition’.

+5
View gallery

Search and rescue efforts had focused on waters from the Tweed to Yamba on Sunday

+5
View gallery

Data from FlightAware showed a rescue plane leaving Melbourne just before midnight on Friday and circling the area of the unmanned boat for about five hours

‘He had a lot of marine experience,’ he said.

‘The water conditions yesterday were ideal… The boat itself is generally in good condition, there is some water in the hull, but further examination will take place.’

Act Snr Sgt Gray said the keys to the boat were on a seat inside and that only three of the four lifejackets on board had been located.

‘But the information source can’t 100 per cent confirm there were four, so at this stage we’re unaware,’ he said.

‘That’s the best-case scenario and that will give him a better chance if he is in the water with that lifejacket on.

‘His phone, we haven’t been able to locate, but it’s believed it was in the boat somewhere. He may have it on him.

‘I’ve spoken with his wife multiple times today – it’s a very difficult time for them.’

Data from FlightAware showed a rescue plane leaving Melbourne just before midnight on Friday and circling the area of the unmanned boat for about five hours.

Marine Rescue NSW then confirmed on Sunday that crews had been focusing on waters from the Tweed to Yamba.

Police continue to appeal to anyone with information regarding the man’s location or welfare to come forward.

LIVE – 12 MINUTES AGO: “I heard his voice” Witnesses at sea told police they heard a short, incomplete, non-repeating sound over the radio at the exact moment Ash Haigh’s boat began drifting freely 👇

In a chilling new twist to the disappearance of Gold Coast fisherman Ashley “Ash” Haigh, witnesses have come forward with accounts of a fleeting radio transmission that coincided precisely with the moment his vessel began drifting unmanned. Multiple individuals at sea reportedly picked up a brief, partial sound—described by some as possibly a voice—over marine radio channels right as the boat lost propulsion or control. Police have confirmed receiving these reports, describing the audio as “short, incomplete, and non-repeating,” with no clear words discernible and no subsequent signals.

The revelation adds a layer of intrigue and heartbreak to a case already marked by unanswered questions. Haigh, a 44-year-old experienced game fisherman and president of the local Gold Coast Game Fish Club, vanished during a solo marlin-fishing trip on Thursday, February 5, 2026. He departed the Runaway Bay Marina (near The Spit) shortly after 6:30 a.m. in calm conditions, planning to return home for dinner with his wife and children.

The Moment the Boat Began Drifting

Haigh’s black half-cabin pleasure craft was discovered empty and adrift around 2 a.m. on Friday, February 6, approximately 25–46 kilometers (14–25 nautical miles) southeast of the Gold Coast Seaway, near Burleigh Heads. The vessel showed no signs of damage, struggle, or distress—no broken rails, no overturned gear, just an eerie stillness. One life jacket was missing, though it’s unclear if Haigh had it on. A single fishing rod remained on board, despite reports he usually carried several.

It was around this timeframe—when the boat transitioned from active movement to free drifting—that witnesses monitoring VHF marine radio channels picked up the anomalous sound. Sources close to the investigation indicate the transmission occurred in the late afternoon or early evening of February 5, aligning with when Haigh was expected to be still active on the water but before the overdue report was filed around 7 p.m.

The witnesses—fellow boaters or nearby vessels—described the audio as a brief burst, possibly a partial vocalization or exclamation, but nothing coherent enough to transcribe. It did not repeat, and attempts by authorities and other mariners to hail the vessel afterward went unanswered. Police are now reviewing any available radio logs, recordings from nearby ships, and witness statements to determine if the sound could have been Haigh himself—perhaps a call for help, an accidental key-up, or something unrelated.

Family members and friends have expressed shock at the detail, noting that Haigh was safety-conscious and well-versed in radio protocol. The fleeting nature of the transmission has intensified grief, with some wondering if it captured a final, desperate moment.

Timeline of the Disappearance and Search

February 5, 2026 (Thursday): Haigh departs Runaway Bay Marina ~6:30 a.m. for solo deep-sea fishing. Conditions calm.
Afternoon/Evening: Possible radio transmission heard by witnesses as boat begins drifting (exact timing under review).
~7 p.m.: Family reports him overdue after no return. Police begin checks, including radio hails.
~2 a.m. February 6 (Friday): Unoccupied boat located ~25–46 km offshore by water police.
February 7 (Saturday): Inactive EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) registered to Haigh found ~14–25 nautical miles off Ballina, northern New South Wales.
February 8–9: Multi-agency search (Queensland Police, NSW authorities, air and sea assets) covers ~1,800 square nautical miles. No further signs of life or items located.
February 9: Search suspended; operation shifts to recovery phase. Family notified.

Queensland Police have emphasized that the case remains non-suspicious—a presumed accident at sea—despite the mysterious radio detail. No evidence points to foul play, and calm weather that day makes environmental factors (sudden wave, medical event, fall overboard) more likely explanations.

Community Response and Family’s Anguish

Haigh was a beloved figure in the Gold Coast fishing community—known for his skill, enthusiasm, and warmth. His sister issued a moving tribute: “He was a very loved and special father, husband, brother, son and friend to many.” A GoFundMe has raised support for his wife and children, reflecting widespread sympathy.

The radio transmission report has reignited hope for closure among some, while deepening sorrow for others. Online discussions and media updates highlight the emotional weight: a single, incomplete sound that might represent the last trace of a man who lived for the ocean.

Lingering Questions

Was the radio sound Haigh’s voice, and if so, what prompted it?
Could it have been an accidental mic key or unrelated traffic?
Will analysis of radio logs or witness recordings yield clarity?
What caused the sudden loss of control—mechanical failure, personal incident, or something else?

Authorities continue to encourage anyone with dashcam footage, private radio recordings, or sightings from the marina or offshore to contact them. As the active search concludes, the focus remains on supporting Haigh’s family and piecing together the final moments of a life cut tragically short.

In the vast, unpredictable ocean, that brief, haunting transmission serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly everything can change—and how fragile even the most prepared can be.