Search for kayaker missing off Cape Peron paused due to bad weather

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Search for kayaker missing off Cape Peron paused due to bad weather

Bad weather has paused the search for a 59-year-old father believed to be the kayaker missing off Cape Peron.

The search for Steve Angel began when his personal locator beacon was activated around 11am Wednesday, with emergency crews rushing to the area, just off the Rockingham coast.

His kayak was found later that day, and his beacon was plucked from the ocean around 9.30pm. At midday Thursday, there was still no sign of Mr Angel.

As of 3pm, a WA Police spokesman said the search had been paused for the safety of the crews.

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"Due to bad weather conditions being experienced, the search activity has been suspended for this afternoon, pending changes in the weather," he said.

"The current conditions on the water are not considered safe for further search activity at this time."

It's expected the search will recommence on Friday.

Search vessel deployment and an air search is currently being planned.

Mr Angel is a long-term resident of Dwellingup, owning a bush block in the area.

In 2007, a bushfire destroyed his home while he was leading a volunteer fire fighting crew attempting to control the blaze.

He managed to save his 16-year-old son, who he found badly burnt on his driveway, before the house burnt to the ground.

He went on to become a campaign spokesman for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in 2016, advocating for homeowners to be bushfire ready.

WA Police inspector Ron Adams told Radio 6PR five helicopters, eight boats and two jet skis were looking for Mr Angel over a 32 nautical square mile search zone stretching from Cockburn to Warnbro.

"We’ll just hope for the best, however the reality is the longer these searches go, particularly in these weather conditions, it does reduce our ability to locate Mr Angel alive," he said.

"[Mr Angel's] a family man, he’s retired ... he’s a strong swimmer, he has a maritime background. Speaking to the family this morning, they do hold hope, as we do, and that's the reason we’ll continue to inject resources into the search.

"He’s an experienced kayaker, he’s got a mate that lives down that way where he stores his kayak, it's not like it's out of character that he put his kayak in in that location.

"Although he had the personal locating beacon, he may not have had a life jacket on."

Mr Angel's step-daughter Katie Marelic spoke to media on Thursday and thanked the police, rescue services and the broader community for the support the family had received.

She said the family was alerted by police that Mr Angel was missing, after his personal locating beacon was activated.

"I was at work and I received the call from my mum and she was very distressed, very upset, as soon as I heard her voice I knew something was wrong and the adrenaline hits you," she said.

"We all met at Point Peron, we went to his car, we searched his car, we left notes on his car saying, 'If you come back we're looking for you' ... we were just trying to search as best we can.

"Knowing how fit he is and strong he is, and having so much experience in the water ... it was worrying to think what could have gone wrong, he's so good out there with that sort of thing."

Mr Angel's family have been provided regular updates on the search.

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