After three days trying to find a man swept out to sea while rescuing a family member, crews have suspended their search.
Emergency services were called to Congo Beach, about 40km south of Bateman's Bay on the NSW south coast, following reports a man had gone missing in the water about 3.30pm on Boxing Day.
Officers were told the 19-year-old had swum out to rescue a family member experiencing difficulties in the surf, when he became caught in a rip and was swept out to sea.
The incident sparked a multi-agency search including crews from PolAir, Marine Area Command, surf lifesavers, Marine Rescue NSW and the Westpac Rescue helicopter.
But on Thursday afternoon, crews decided to suspend the search.
"Despite an extensive search of the water and surrounding land for the past two days, the 19-year-old man from Sydney has not been located, and the search was suspended at midday Thursday," NSW Police said in a statement.
