A Queensland fisherman who went missing for 10 hours from a commercial fishing vessel but was later found aboard the whole time has spent the night in hospital.
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It was believed the 45-year-old, Steve Gallagher, had fallen overboard south of Fraser Island just before 2.30am on Wednesday when the vessel's skipper noticed the Mooloolaba man was missing from the back deck.
The skipper called police, sparking an air and sea search involving several emergency agencies and at least eight helicopters, several planes, two water police vessels, two fishing vessels and a Coast Guard vessel.
The search was called off after Mr Gallagher was found in a compartment on the vessel about 4.30pm.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said paramedics were called at 6.20pm to Parkyn Parade at Mooloolaba, from where the man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
"Police met with the man when he was off the vessel and was taken to hospital," a police spokeswoman said.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue spokeswoman Julie Korner said crews were pleased with the positive outcome despite the efforts and costs involved.
"When our crews heard this gentleman had been found safe and well they were relieved he was OK," she said.
"There had been grave concerns for his safety."
Ms Korner said the search and rescue mission involved resources invested from many agencies.
"For RACQ LifeFlight alone, there were three helicopters involved at an estimated cost upwards of $250,000," she said.
A Sunshine Coast University Hospital spokesman said Mr Gallagher remained in hospital in a stable condition.
