Search resumes for man missing in Gold Coast Broadwater

A major air and sea search is underway for a boatie missing on the Gold Coast.

Emergency services were called to the Boykambil Esplanade Boat Ramp at Hope Island about 5pm yesterday after reports the man was heard yelling for help.

Police say the 55-year-old man, who lives on a sailboat in the Broadwater, went missing when he tried to paddle his broken-down tinnie he had been working on onshore back to his sailing boat.

"Somehow he became separated from his boat and he's obviously ended up in the water," Acting Inspector Peter Venz said.

"The circumstances around that we don't know."

The tinnie was found at nearby Coombabah Creek last night.

Acting Inspector Venz said the man was reported to be a strong swimmer with no known medical conditions, but he had badly cut his foot on barnacles earlier in the day.

"We've got our fingers crossed he's safely been able to swim to shore," he said.

Police scoured the area into the early hours of this morning and resumed their search at first light today.

Marine Rescue Queensland crews, water police, the Polair aircraft and a rescue helicopter have joined the search, as well as the police dive team.