7 February, 2025 - Our Coastguard Operations Centre was notified on Monday afternoon of an overdue jetskier who had not arrived at their destination along the Kapiti Coast, Wellington, after leaving Queen Charlotte Sound earlier that morning.
Volunteers from Coastguard Marlborough searched from 7:00pm until last light.
At 6.30am on Tuesday, the volunteers resumed the search clocking up a 13-hour search effort involving 15 volunteers on and off the water and working alongside local police.
A change in weather conditions on Cook Strait that afternoon forced volunteers into the Marlborough Sounds to continue the search.
Coastguard Mana volunteers also joined the search on Tuesday from midday to 6:00pm along the Porirua coastline down into the Cook Strait.
On Thursday, Coastguard Marlborough resumed the search. Two vessels were out on Cook Strait and underwent a thorough pattern search, while the third vessel searched the shoreline of the Marlborough Sounds, checking rocks and caves.
The search area was based off rigorous planning done by Police and Rescue Coordination Centre, utilizing local fishermen and diver’s knowledge of the area.
Coastguard Marlborough President David St John said 27 volunteers and three vessels searched from 6:30am to 1:00pm on Thursday.
“We had a big morning searching as the weather was ideal, it was very calm, good for searching... but we are saddened we couldn't locate him.”
St John wanted to acknowledge the support from Harbourmaster searching in the Queen Charlotte Sound on Thursday, as well as recreational boaties, fishermen, and divers who assisted.
Today Police are reviewing the search efforts and are planning further search activity.
Our thoughts are with the missing person's family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you to all the Coastguard volunteers who have spent hours searching for the missing man.
