A large search effort is under way in Northland after a small motorboat failed to return to Pataua South on Friday evening. The vessel, a runabout between 17 and 20 feet in length carrying two people, was reported overdue by family when it had not arrived back by 1900 hours. Search crews were ready to begin work at first light on Saturday.
The air patrol got under way at 08:55, covering a search zone stretching from southern Awahoa Bay along the Taiharuru Peninsula and out to Motutara Island off Ngunguru. A thorough shoreline sweep was completed first, before the search expanded into a creeping line pattern reaching up to five nautical miles offshore.
At 10:35 on Saturday, the aircraft located the target vessel, a brown hull with white cabin, drifting within the planned search area. Coordinates were passed immediately to surface units. A further sighting followed at 11:30, when an orange object was spotted near Parauwanui Beach and relayed to nearby vessels for investigation.
The aircraft flew into Whangārei at 12:35 to refuel before returning to base at 13:15, having completed three and a half hours of flight time, with radio and phone communication maintained throughout.
Tragically, one person has been found deceased. The search for the remaining person or persons continues, drawing on police, Coastguard crews, search and rescue volunteers, and members of the public.
Those coordinating the response thanked all who assisted, and encouraged anyone heading out on the water this summer to check their boat, life jackets, communications equipment, and trip plan before departing. Thoughts remain with the whānau affected by this loss.
