Teams of divers spent the weekend trawling Hamilton harbour for a waiter missing since the early hours of Saturday.

Aldo Balia, 35, was last seen by colleagues at Portofino restaurant sometime after midnight.

The inflatable boat which he used to reach his yacht Sundancer moored at Hinson's Island was found circling empty with the engine still running between 2 a.m. and 2.30 a.m.

The craft bumped into local charter boat Andrea Christine at the Hamilton Princess dock. The owners of this boat reported the empty boat to the Police at 8.55 a.m. who immediately began a search for Mr. Balia which went on all day and resumed Sunday morning.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: “We have no indication of why those individuals who found the boat waited until 8 a.m. to report the boat was missing.

“We are wishing we had got the information sooner. That way we could have acted but hindsight is 20/20.”

Mr. Caines described Mr. Balia, who had been in Bermuda for ten years, as a fit teetotaller who ran marathons.

Originally from Sardinia, in Italy, Mr. Balia had just enjoyed a post work meal with colleagues before setting out on the half a mile sea journey to his sail boat which he had lived on for the last five years.

Marine Police Sgt. Keith Senior said it had started to rain about the time Mr. Balia went out while there were moderate 20 knot winds.

Twelve Marine Police divers assisted by eight civilian volunteer divers combed the harbour for Mr. Balia yesterday.

Mr. Caines said: “A lot of his friends have gone out in their personal vessels all day. They are quite concerned.

“They have been out there in their boats doing their part to see what they can do to help find Mr. Balia.” The boat's lights were working but no life jacket was found on the inflatable, said Sgt. Senior.

Yesterday Police, taking into account prevailing winds, widened the search to Foot of the Lane in Paget.

Sgt. Senior said the harbour depth of 60 feet restricted dive times.

Divers were towed on a weighted wooden plank about 30 feet below the service. Yesterday they worked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m until they had reached their limit while boat searches continued until darkness.

Sgt. Senior said a body will eventually float to the surface but the time it took to do this varied according to body weight, water temperature and clothing. He said bodies could get snagged in rocks.

“They are still looking for him and won't stop until they have some closure to the situation,” said Mr. Caines adding that there was “nothing to indicate foul play.”

Staff at Portofino paid tribute to their colleague.

Chef Renato Capriz said: “He was a nice guy. Everybody knew him. He was very popular with customers.

“He loved sailing. That was his life mainly.”

Asked if Mr. Balia had seemed depressed he said: “No, not at all. He didn't have any worries as far as I know.

“I think he had just lost balance. He always rides a small boat to go out. He lives on the boat in the sound.

“It's just a combination of bad weather, late at night, some winds. Maybe he hit something out there. It was dark.”

Waiter Michael Scott: “He was a lovely person. Everybody is really upset. He had a good character and was very funny.”

Assistant Manager Giovanni Guglielmucci said: “He was a very hard worker. He always had a smile on his face and was easy-going. He is a big loss.

“He was funny and always ready for action, ready for anything. He was very friendly.”

He said it had been Mr. Balia's dream to sail around the world before returning to Italy.

“He had a big boat,” said Mr. Guglielmucci. “It was like his family.”

Mr. Balia who was single and childless was one of six siblings said Mr. Caines. One of his brothers is expected to arrive in Bermuda today.

“He had a zest for life, was clean-living - alcohol and drug-free. He loved running and his boat,” said Mr. Caines

Police said Mr Balia was around 5ft 9in, with olive skin, and cropped dark hair.

He was wearing a dark blue rain jacket, black work pants, brown shoes. In his knapsack was a mobile phone and a change of clothes.

Witnesses are asked to call Sgt. Senior or Inspector Bothelo of the Marine Police on 295 0011.