KEY POINTS:
Specialist Navy and police divers will search Lake Wanaka for helicopter pilot Morgan Saxton, who is now presumed dead.
The glacial lake reaches depths of 300m and specialised sonar and other equipment will be used.
Saxton, 31, and the Robinson R22 helicopter he was flying were reported overdue on Saturday evening on a flight from Haast.
An experienced commercial helicopter pilot respected for numerous rescues, he was on bail pending an appeal against a jail sentence for stealing greenstone.
Thirteen boats, four helicopters and up to 70 land search and rescue volunteers have taken part in the search since Saturday.
However, they were to hand over last night to the Navy and police divers being flown to Wanaka in an Air Force Hercules.
- NZPA
