infonews.co.nz
INDEX
SEARCH AND RESCUE

Further search for missing Northland man

Saturday 28 August 2010, 9:18AM

By New Zealand Police

218 views

NORTHLAND

Police carried out a further search yesterday for a Bay of Islands man who may have drowned after he went missing two weeks ago.

Earl Raison, aged 48 years, had been at the Russell Boating Club on the night of Friday August 13 and was last seen at a house up the road from the club.

Police believe that after Mr Raison left the house he tried to row in his dinghy across Matauwhi Bay to the yacht where he lived and fell out of the dinghy.

Following a report that the man was missing police and Far North LandSar volunteers began a thorough search of the shore and sea in the area.
Searchers were joined by the Police National Dive Squad, Coastguard and local residents.

Yesterday the Northland Police search and rescue team carried out a further search of the shoreline on foot and in kayaks around the bay.

However the man was not located.

A tapu that has been placed on the Matauwhi and Orongo Bay area remains in place. This means that this area is a no-take zone for shell and fin fish.

Police are asking that people contact them if they come across any clothing that could have belonged to the man or oars that could have been in his dinghy, or anything else that may be of interest.

Anyone with information can contact Sergeant Pete Masters at Paihia Police Station on 09 402 6105 or Constable Mark Caswell at Russell Police Station on 09 403 9090.

For further information contact Northland Police Communications Officer Sarah Kennett on 09 430 4525 or 027 494 1214.