The search continues for missing Torquay kayaker

A TORQUAY kayaker who set off from Altona on Thursday morning is still missing as the search enters its fourth day.

Water Police believe Junichi Yoshimura, 41, left his Torquay address on Thursday to go fishing in his kayak.

Police were continuing the search as of 6pm yesterday, with crews working long into the dark.

Senior Sergeant Alistair Nisbet of the Water Police said there was a considerable emphasis on searching the southern end of Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay due to Saturday’s weather conditions.

“Water Police, using boats and jet skis, along with the Coast Guard, Southern Peninsula Rescue, Volunteer Marine Rescue and the Police Air Wing, recommenced the search at first light (yesterday),” Sen-Sgt Nisbet said.

“We are urging anyone who sees a kayak of any description or colour to contact us immediately.”

Water Police Sergeant Matt Henderson said on Saturday that they were concerned Mr Yoshimura may have been missing for as many as 48 hours on Port Phillip Bay.

Mr Yoshimura works for Zeally Bay Sourdough and the company tweeted concerns for its worker.

“We are extremely concerned for one of our employees — friend and colleague Junichi-San. Fingers crossed for his safe rescue.”

Joel Farnan, managing director of Zeally Bay Sourdough, said everyone associated with the business was “deeply concerned and upset”.

Mr Farnan said Mr Yoshimura was due to begin a shift at 7am on Friday but never showed up.

“We thought it was very odd that we didn’t hear from him at all,” he said.

“When it reached nighttime we realised something might have gone wrong so we called the police”.

The Japanese baker ar- rived in Australia last November and had just moved in with housemates a few weeks ago.

It’s understood Mr Yoshimura is single, with none of his family members in the country.

Police located his car, a white 2002 Subaru Forester with registration RXS-891, at the Altona boat ramp.

The kayak was not with the vehicle.

Police have released an image of a Kobie kayak, similar to that owned by Mr Yoshimura.

Main picture: DAVID CROSLING RACE AGAINST TIME: Police in Altona prepare to search for missing Torquay kayaker Junichi Yoshimura (below). Inset centre, the missing man’s car.