The search for a father-of-four who disappeared while rowing on the Brisbane River has become a recovery operation as police divers comb the riverbed for any traces of the 63-year-old.
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Mark Roome went missing about 4.40am on Wednesday, when he and two fellow single scullers decided to turn around as they were confronted by windy conditions at West End.
He was separated from the other two and the discovery of his overturned boat sparked a frantic search and rescue operation.
The search resumed on Thursday morning.
Shortly after 2pm on Wednesday, divers investigating an "anomaly" spotted on sonar found several small items on the bottom of the river.
Water police called off the search about 7pm due to poor visibility but police would resume the search again at first light on Thursday.
Regional duty officer Sean Cryer said divers believed the items might belong to the missing man, although that was yet to be determined, and confirmed police did not expect to find the rower alive.
Mr Roome’s family gathered by the river on Wednesday, comforting each other on the verandah of the Commercial Rowing Club, where the trio had set out before dawn.
Sister-in-law Christine Landy described the electrical engineer as a “gorgeous” man, the “most upbeat, beautiful person you could meet”, who would do everything for anybody.
As they waited for news of the search, Ms Landy said the wind on Wednesday morning had been “horrific”.
She almost yelled out to say “why the hell are you going rowing?” when she heard Mr Roome getting ready.
“The next thing police were at the door asking to speak to Sandra (Mark’s wife),” she said.
“ … As soon as they said ‘your husband went rowing’, we knew.”
Acting Inspector Dan Dunstan appealed for residents to keep an eye on the river and contact them if they knew of or spotted anything.
