Search resumes for missing man

Searching has resumed this morning for a man missing after a small aluminium boat sank in the Tauranga Harbour.

The alarm was raised at approximately 8pm last night after three of the men on the boat made it to shore. They had set off from the Omokoroa Peninsula and it is believed that they were fishing near Motuhoa Island when the incident happened.

The TECT Rescue Boat has this morning transported nine LandSAR volunteers to Matakana Island, Motuhoa Island and Omokoroa Peninsula (three at each location) to search the shoreline.

Members of the Mount Surf Club and Omanu Surf Club are searching the water on four Inflatable Rigid Boats (IRBs). All boaties in the area have been asked to look out for the missing man and boat.

The search is being coordinated by Police and Coastguard.

Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said: "We are still hopeful that the missing man has made it ashore somewhere but the strong winds last night made for very poor conditions. The wind has eased a little this morning which will assist the searching."

The family of the missing man, who is in his 20s, have been advised and are being supported by police and Victim Support. His name is not being released at this stage.