Ian McRobert, from Tasmania, was feared dead after his yacht was found drifting near Samurai Beach and, after a two day search, no trace of him was found.

But just days after he informed Newcastle police he was alive, the 48-year-old was reportedly found carrying a knife on a public train and became aggressive towards transit police when questioned about it. McRobert was issued an infringement notice at Toongabbi railway station for travelling without a ticket.

McRobert’s 26-foot yacht, named FireFly, was found drifting in open water about one nautical mile east of Samurai Beach on May 17.

A sailor passing by found the yacht with the sails unfurled and radio on. He towed the yacht to deeper water and anchored it before calling police. Port Stephens Water Police attended the location of the anchored yacht about 4pm.

A kayak understood to have originated from the yacht was found about one nautical mile south of where FireFly was found. No one was found with the kayak.

Police, Marine Rescue and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter searched the area on Tuesday afternoon. The agencies, with help from NSW Surf Live Savers, returned on Wednesday for a full day search.

On the morning of May 19 the search became a recovery operation with police believing McRobert would not have been able to survive the water conditions. About noon however, McRobert walked into Newcastle Police Station to inform officers he was alive. Police said McRobert had been at Newcastle Library when he read a newspaper report about his yacht, and fears that he was dead. 

When questioned as to his whereabouts and why his yacht was left drifting off Samurai Beach, McRobert reportedly stated that he had been on holiday. Police said McRobert claimed to have moored the yacht in Sydney and caught the bus to Newcastle to look around. Investigations are continuing into how the yacht ended up near Samurai Beach.