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The family of missing Northland eye surgeon Geoffrey Wallace have appealed for sightings of his body as the official search is scaled down.
Dr Wallace, 46, disappeared last Wednesday as he motored across Whangarei Harbour in a small 2.7m aluminium dinghy from One Tree Point to Home Point.
He was not wearing a lifejacket when he set off to cross the choppy harbour and the following day the dinghy without its motor was found.
Searchers later found a hat, oars and his shoes but police were now convinced he had drowned and his body had been caught in a strong tidal rip which swept out of the harbour.
Today police said the search had been scaled down but Dr Wallace's family had appealed for anyone walking on the beaches on the northern side of the harbour or out boating, to keep an eye out for his body.
Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said there was little else police and searchers could do.
"The family is encouraging people in the area to keep a look out for him," she said.
- NZPA
