Fisherman in miraculous story of survival

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BRISBANE - A Queensland fisherman washed overboard by a rogue wave has survived a marathon, six-hour swim to shore after his runabout powered on without him.

The survival story has stunned police, who only realised the 25-year-old Tweed Heads man was missing when his unmanned runabout was spotted circling off Kirra Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

The find sparked an air and sea search of the seas off the Queensland/NSW border.

But the man saved himself, making the marathon swim - without a lifejacket and in extremely strong currents - to Fingal Head where he clambered over rocks and knocking on a stranger's door for help.

Exhausted and nursing cuts, he then called his partner to say he was alive.

Tweed Heads Police's Inspector Darren Steel said the man was taken to hospital but, he understood, he'd since been released.

He said the man had set off about 11.30am, intending to fish offshore at Nine Mile Reef, about 6km off the coast and east of Cook Island.

"He was in a six-metre runabout. We believe it was early in the afternoon when his vessel was hit by a large wave and he was washed overboard," Insp Steel told the ABC.

"At the time, the vessel was still under power and it continued on without him. He was forced to start swimming back towards the shore."

The sight of the vessel powering off without him must have been terrifying for the fisherman.

But it's mysterious appearance off Kirra about 5.15pm alerted authorities that he was missing, sparking a major search.

Police said it was a miraculous story of survival.

"Obviously, he was fairly exhausted after swimming for what we believe would be over six hours - a distance of probably 7.5km," Insp Steel said.

"This man was a strong swimmer and was obviously quite physically fit to have continued on for such a long time."

Police hope to interview the man more extensively today.

Insp Steel urged boat users to always let family and friends know of their plans.

"So, if you are overdue, the flag goes up."

- AAP