Search for missing swimmer at Chifley Dam expected to continue on Tuesday

The 42-year-old was on a boat with friends at about 1.30pm on Saturday when he told them he was going to swim back to shore, a distance of approximately 300 metres.

A storm struck the area a short time later and the man's friends saw him disappear under the water.

He failed to surface.

Search efforts with emergency services commenced a short time later and have continued daily, but as of Monday afternoon the man had not been found.

A duty officer at Chifley Police District said that the NSW Police Marine Area Command boat was out of the water at present, but detectives remain at the scene.

"We have conducted some extensive searching today and we will continue a search tomorrow morning," they said.

Police are unable to say at this stage whether or not the missing man is a Bathurst resident.

The advice on Monday afternoon was that Chifley Dam was closed to all water activities, but the area surrounding the dam could still be used for picnics and the barbecues were still available to use.

The Bathurst Aqua Park, which is located not far from where the man was last seen, has opted to remain closed until further notice.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the operators of the park said the decision was in the best interests of everyone.

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