Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" at Mackay Airport

The search for a man off the coast of Mackay on Monday 9 January has seen Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd) Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-XND "Rescue 660" fly South from its Cairns base to coordinate the operation.

The man is missing near Middle Percy Island, 70 kilometres southeast of Mackay.

Early on Sunday, the Central Queensland (CQ Rescue) Helicopter Service / Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia Bell 412 helicopter VH-LSY "Rescue 422" completed a two-hour mission from Mackay Airport but failed to locate the missing man.

Later on Sunday 9 January, VH-XND was noted landing at Mackay Airport for fuel and a crew change.

West Wing Aviation Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW was noted arriving into Mackay Airport from Cairns on Sunday 9 January, presumably ferrying the replacement crew for "Rescue 660".

At the time of writing, both VH-XND and VH-XDW are returning to Cairns.

File photo taken by Kayanne Hardsman  ©