THE SEARCH for a boater missing in the water at Lake Macquarie has been suspended for a third night.
Luke Smith, 23, was with three mates when they were thrown from a small boat in the Swansea Channel just before 8pm on Saturday.
Three men, two aged 23 and another aged 20, managed to safely make it back to land after members of the public leapt into action to rescue them.
Mr Smith, a local, disappeared and hasn't been seen since, despite a multi-agency search from the land, sea and sky during Saturday night and the days following.
Police confirmed the operation had been suspended due to poor light at about 4.30pm on Monday but was expected to resume at about 8am on Tuesday.
A surf rescue helicopter, water police, divers, jet skiers, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, Fire and Rescue NSW crews, the State Emergency Service and Surf Life Savers have all been called in to help with the search.
The official operation has been backed by community members desperate to help after Mr Smith's family made public pleas for help on social media.
The Newcastle Herald understands the four men were plunged into the water south of the Pelican public wharf when their small boat struck a buoy in the water and overturned.
Heartbroken family and friends gathered at the shore of Lake Macquarie on Sunday as emergency services desperately searched for Mr Smith.
A crowd more than 70-strong at times, many crying and hugging each other, gathered at the Pelican foreshore near the Marine Rescue NSW Lake Macquarie base throughout Sunday as the search operation stretched into the afternoon.
Crews on board boats with flashing red and blue lights and jet skis, supported by the Westpac Surf Life Saving helicopter from above, could be seen combing the Swansea channel area for any sign of Mr Smith.
Divers were seen in the channel on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Smith's father was visibly emotional as he spoke briefly to the media on Sunday to make a heartwrenching plea for better water safety and more marine policing at Lake Macquarie.
NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Adam Grieve said multiple crews were tasked to the scene at Swansea on Saturday night, including the special operations team and intensive care paramedics.
"On arrival they were directed to three men in their 20s who were treated for exposure to the cold from being in the water," he said.
One 23-year-old man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle where he underwent treatment for hypothermia.
Acting Inspector Grieve said paramedics were able to warm him up and he was in a stable condition, but warned the cold water could be very dangerous.
"It was imperative that they got help quite immediately and they were able to be out of the water and treated by paramedics," he said.
Police said the master of the boat, another 23-year-old man, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Lake Macquarie police have been piecing together how the tragedy unfolded and have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
