Trent Riley’s friends and family, along with the Australian skate community at large, have endured an anxious week since Trent went missing while fishing near the Port of Brisbane last Wednesday, April 14.

Trent was fishing alone in his tinnie ‘Lydia’, which was found at 3.30pm last Wednesday driving uncontrolled near Mud Island in Moreton Bay. Just two hours earlier, Trent had posted a Story on Instagram showing clear skies and calm water while he was fishing off the stern of his boat. The next day, Trent’s hat was found near St Helena Island.

The search for Trent has continued for the past seven days, largely coordinated through a Facebook page called Let’s find Trent Riley. The page contains relevant daily updates on weather, previously searched areas, rescue gear, boat shares and supplies – it’s a good starting point for anyone looking to help with the search efforts.

Trent’s brother, Shannon Riley, has been relentlessly searching and coordinating the loyal crew every day. Photo by Lily Nothling at the ABC.

The Queensland Water Police, along with countless volunteers, have been manning boats, helicopters, jet skis and kayaks in the search for Trent. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise money to help Trent’s family with the costs of the search operation and at the time of publishing, it had raised just over $52,000.

Jesse from Parliament Skate Shop explained to us earlier today, “I’d say there are 50 to 100 people every day at The Port [of Brisbane], but also, searches are going out from all different places.”

Jesse and Trent. Photo by Max Macinnes.

“We have been out there all week, so we’re pretty spent. We’ve been around all the islands by foot twice now and it’s fucking rough out there. The search is heading a little further north because according to experts that’s the way the currents were going at the time.”

Jesse went on to explain that the search itself had been hazardous at times. “Timmy [Fawkner] had to hit a bull shark with his machete the other day because it was coming right at us,” he said. “[It] was about a metre-and-a-half too.”

Jesse continues, “We are all so devastated about this. As you know, Trent was ‘the fucking one’ and we’re bringing him home either way. The efforts from the Parli team and all the skaters around Brisbane have been nothing short of epic.”

A post that has been circulating on Instagram today encouraged anyone with a platform to spread the word about the ongoing search for Trent. The post suggested that some people in the local area still hadn’t heard that Trent was missing. It reads: “We need the locals, who know the area, aware so there’s deeper, more knowledgeable searches, more feet on the ground!”

Harry Pascoe with his fresh tatt revealed at the Treasury premiere and Trent’s cover surprise on March 19, 2021. 

For more info, see the Facebook page, Let’s find Trent Riley. To donate, and help with the expenses of the ongoing search, see the GoFundMe campaign.