The police search for three missing men from Far North Queensland was called off last week, but the community of Yarrabah is not giving up.
Russell Bulmer, 27, Alban Creed, 37, and his son Silas Creed, 18, failed to return from a fishing trip on January 26 when they were last seen on their boat at a reef near Green Island.
It is believed they were having engine trouble.
A life jacket, fuel tank, and three jerry cans confirmed to be from their missing boat were found during the seven-day police search for the men, which was called off after an 1800 square kilometre search area was covered by air and water.
Fundraising for fuel to continue the search is now a priority, along with a call out to anyone in the areas including Far North Queensland, Whitsunday Islands, Palm Islands, Wujal Wujal, Cooktown, Hopevale, Solomon Islands and surrounding waters to keep a lookout for the men.
Senior ranger of the Gunggangji Land and Sea Ranger Service, Darryl Murgha, the Yarrabah community was shocked by the disappearance. They recently gathered on the beach to pray for the missing men.
"We set out to find someone and haven't been able to do that", Queensland police Acting Inspector Andy Cowie said in a statement.
Although not actively searching for the men, investigating officers are encouraging anyone out on the water on January 26 who may have seen the missing men to contact police - especially anyone who was between Bat Reef and Yarrabah that day.
"Any items that are also located along the coastline that may be the debris from that vessel, can you please record that location, the time that you located, and immediately contact police," Acting Inspector Cowie said.
"That information is critical in giving some answers to the family."
