Police name Sounds drowning victim

A Wellington man drowned after falling from a friend's launch in Dryden Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound about 7pm on Saturday.

Patrick Gerald Rosson, aged 49, of Porirua, fell from the back of the 24ft wooden launch while it was motoring into Dryden Bay.

The boat's skipper attempted to rescue Mr Rosson but was unsuccessful.

The pair had been on a tour of the Sounds for the afternoon. They had stopped at Furneaux Lodge and at a friend's house before heading back to Dryden Bay intending to watch the All Blacks rugby match.

The weather at the time of the accident was fine and the sea was calm.

The matter has now been referred to the coroner.