The President of the Kaipara Fishing Club says it's up to the skipper to tell those on board to wear their lifejackets.

It's thought those on board the charter boat 'Francie', which rolled in the Kaipara Harbour on Saturday afternoon, weren't wearing life jackets.

Seven lives are already confirmed lost, one man is still missing, while three have survived.

Steve McGregor is also a friend of Bill McNatty, the boat's skipper who lost his life on Saturday, and told Rachel Smalley it's not a question of lifejackets not fitting.

"Well they have different sizes to fit most people. I mean if you're taking a party out, you'd have to have different sizes," he said.

McGregor said if conditions are bad it's a no brainer, you don't cross the Kaipara bar. He said you've really got to assess it with your head on straight.

"If you get out there and you see things aren't looking that well out there, or the swell's quite huge, then don't even attempt to go out there."

LISTEN ABOVE: President of the Kaipara Fishing Club Steve McGregor spoke with Rachel Smalley