The family of a Southland man missing in the East China Sea have slammed the New Zealand Government for its lack of support and say it has "no choice" but to prepare to launch their own rescue plan.
Lochie Bellerby went missing after Gulf Livestock 1, the boat he and fellow New Zealander Scott Harris were working on, sank with 43 people on board during a typhoon on September 2.
In a statement today, family spokeswoman Sue Sherburd said while the family was "overwhelmed" by resources donated and the support and generosity of private individuals, they were "bewildered" by the lack of action by the New Zealand Government.
"The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs say they are doing 'all we can do' but this is not what's happening on the ground or if it is, the family are not aware of it.
"It would appear that we have no choice but to be ready to mount a private, locally-organised response and rescue plan."