A search of the bottom of the Veronica Channel has failed to find a dinghy which sank after it collided with a yacht, causing the death of 68-year-old Joseph Reti of Waikare.
Northland harbourmaster Jim Lyle said two regional council boats, the 16m Waikare and the 5.8m catamaran Karetu, spent close to three hours searching the area where Mr Reti's dinghy went down about 8.30am on Sunday. The accident occurred roughly 50m from the wharf in water 18-20m deep. It was an area of strong currents so the dinghy could have drifted a long way. It could also be stuck just under the wharf.
"We searched the area as comprehensively as we could ... it's a big ocean out there. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack."
The Waikare used its widescreen sonar to search the bottom while the Karetu followed behind with a drag line and hook. Three council staff and a Maritime NZ official took part in the search.
Witnesses said the dinghy appeared to go straight down so it was unlikely to become a marine hazard. Staff would keep an eye out for it in case it turned up somewhere in the shallows.