Family of missing fisherman Ian Gray continue to hold hope despite the police search being called off

The family of Ian Gray are not giving up in their hunt for clues to what happened to the lone fisherman off the Mid West coast, continuing to scour the beaches and ocean, long after authorities have given up the search. Police suspended the search for the 46-year-old Waikiki man on Wednesday evening and will prepare a report for the coroner, after he failed to return from a fishing trip off Green Head on Sunday, July 24. Even though he lived in Perth, Mr Gray had family in Green Head and was familiar with the area and local waters. Mr Gray’s niece, Samantha Howell, said the family was devastated and grieving a great loss. “We are hoping for something to come up so we can get closure. We are still searching, walking the beaches, I’ve been out on the water every day on a jet ski searching the coastline,” she said. “There has to be something out there. If it was me out there I know Ian would be doing the same to find me.” Mr Gray was reported missing by worried family members two hours after he was expected back on Sunday afternoon, sparking a massive search in the area. The experienced fisherman’s car and boat trailer were left at the local boat ramp, but the major air, sea and land search failed to find any sign of him or his 4.2m open dinghy. Search crews covered about 3900 square nautical miles several times. The massive search area extended from Leeman to Guilderton and out to about 50 nautical miles offshore. Last week, Mid-West Gascoyne District Acting Inspector Jon Munday admitted police held “grave concerns” for Mr Gray’s welfare, which deepened with every passing minute. He said the fact that Mr Gray was by himself and in rough swells concerned police from the outset. Police were not exactly sure what safety gear Mr Gray had on board, but confirmed there had been no evidence of an activated EPIRB device.