Daniel Skinner, 45, was last seen swimming with a friend at Fingal Spit, Fingal Bay, about 5pm on Tuesday, May 26.

Both men exited the water with help from NSW Surf Life Saving members before Mr Skinner left the area.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commenced a search for the man however he could not be located.

Police and friends hold serious concerns for his welfare.

Nelson Bay Police - with assistance from the Marine Area Command, Police Rescue and the State Emergency Service - are searching the Fingal Bay area.

Mr Skinner is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a medium build and brown hair.

He is known to frequent the Fingal Bay, Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay areas, and has no fixed place of abode.

Anyone with information about Mr Skinner's whereabouts is urged to contact police.

Meanwhile, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter has air-lifted a man to hospital after he lost a limb in a farming accident in the Upper Hunter.

The helicopter crew was sent to Scone about 1.15pm where it was met by an ambulance carrying a 21-year-old man who suffered a partially amputated thumb after an accident with a hydraulic wood splitter.

The helicopter's critical care team is escorting the patient to John Hunter Hospital - he is in a stable condition.

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