Drink bottle find could be link to missing boaties

Matekino Lucy Burling, 60, known as Lou, from Owaka. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Searchers looking for two missing boaties off the Southland coast have found a drink bottle that may belong to one of the pair.

Whetuki Sam Kopua, 77, known as Sam, and Matekino Lucy Burling, 60, known as Lou, from Owaka, were reported missing about 6pm on Wednesday after they failed to return from a fishing trip.

Whetuki Sam Kopua, 77, known as Sam. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Their upturned boat was recovered about 10am yesterday southeast of Nugget Point but Mr Kopua and Mrs Burling remain missing.

A police statement issued this afternoon said searches continued today for the missing pair on foot, by boat, and by plane.

"A drink bottle which may belong to Mrs Burling was located on the shore in between the two mouths of the Clutha river.

"Police also downloaded information from a GPS device from the vessel which gave an indication of where the vessel may have capsized."

Both land and water searches would continue tomorrow.