Doubtful Sound SAR

The search continued in Doubtful Sound today for the two men missing from the K'Cee crayboat.

Six vessels and three helicopters were involved in the search.

The semi-submerged hull wreckage was re-located. It had drifted closer to Secretary Island.

The search was based on the location of the hull and a 400-square mile grid pattern around that area, according to information supplied by the Rescue Coordination Centre, including drift patterns and tides.

Searchers recovered two wooden floorboards from the inflatable dingy about 10km north off the coast of Secretary Island.

They've also recovered what's called a bladder from the inflatable life raft. The type of bladder matches that which was on the inflatable life raft of the K'Cee. This was found 400 metres off a point called Noon Extreme Point on Secretary Island.

The emergency locator beacon from the K'Cee has been located on the beach just north of the bow section of the vessel. It had minor damage and appeared to still be operational but had not been activated.

A reasonable amount of debris has also been located in the vicinity of where the hull was located.

The hull wreckage has been towed to a place called Neck Cove on Secretary Island where the Police Dive Squad are assessing the opportunities to dive around the wreckage. They arrived in Te Anau about 1.30pm and were helicoptered over to the site. They have been diving all afternoon and are expected back later today.

The grid search has continued this afternoon with helicopters tasked to undertake a close shoreline search and also looking at areas that have not already been covered.

The weather conditions have been favourable for today's search.

Unfortunately after finding the items from the K'Cee, the search team may now be looking at a less hopeful scenario.

Police and the search team extend our thoughts and sympathies to the families of the two men. Tragically as time goes on the outcome is looking less positive and searchers had hoped for a better outcome at this stage.

The search started at 10am yesterday and has continued through today with day and night searches. The search team has included SAR and Police personnel, commercial fishing vessels, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft as well as the Airforce Orion.

Police would like to acknowledge the huge effort of the local Te Anau SAR community in supporting the search.

An operational debrief will be held this evening to determine what the plan is for tomorrow.