ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Missing Cook Strait jetskier: Coastguard volunteers search caves, rocks in hunt for man missing four days

Publish Date
Fri, 7 Feb 2025, 5:12pm
The person failed to arrive at their destination on Plimmerton Beach. Photo / Reece Baker, RNZ
The person failed to arrive at their destination on Plimmerton Beach. Photo / Reece Baker, RNZ

Missing Cook Strait jetskier: Coastguard volunteers search caves, rocks in hunt for man missing four days

Publish Date
Fri, 7 Feb 2025, 5:12pm

Coastguard volunteers looking for a man who disappeared while trying to cross Cook Strait on a jetski searched rocks and caves on the Marlborough Sounds shoreline yesterday, but were “saddened” that he wasn’t located.

The man left the Tasman District on Monday morning bound for Plimmerton, north of Wellington, but did not arrive as expected, police said. A jetski believed to be the one belonging to him was located near Cooks Rock on Monday evening.

Favourable weather conditions in Cook Strait yesterday allowed several agencies to continue their search over a wide area.

“At this time there has been no sign of the missing man,” police said.

“Today police are reviewing the search efforts to date and planning further search activity. Police have been in contact with the man’s family and support is being provided to them at what is an understandably difficult time.”

Twenty-seven Coastguard Marlborough volunteers and three vessels were also involved in the operation yesterday.

“We had a big morning searching as the weather was ideal, it was very calm, good for searching. However, we’re saddened that we couldn’t locate him yesterday,” Coastguard Marlborough president David St John said.

He said from 6.30am to 1pm, two vessels conducted a thorough search pattern in the Cook Strait, while a third vessel searched the Marlborough Sounds shoreline – checking rocks and caves.

“The search area was determined by rigorous planning by police and the Rescue Coordination Centre, incorporating insights from local fishermen and divers,” St John said.

He acknowledged the support of the harbourmaster in searching Queen Charlotte Sound, as well as many recreational boaties, fishermen and divers who have assisted.

Kāpiti Boating Club Commodore John Smith earlier told RNZ the missing man is retired, a grandfather and long-time club member.

He said the man had met up with friends and was getting ready to head back before he went missing.

“When he arrived there weren’t any issues from what I understand.”

Smith said the man had made the trip on a jetski many times with no issues and they were shocked he had gone missing.

“Thankfully the search people and police are out in full mode. We are just hoping he will be located.”

The boating club was supporting the man’s family.

- NZ Herald

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you