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Police will conduct a final search for the body of a dead fisherman on Saturday - seven days after he and a colleague died at sea.
Sanford's fishing boat San Cuvier ran aground on rocks while taking shelter last Sunday near Opotiki.
San Cuvier skipper Rick Josephs, 38, and Damien Wyatt, 35, lost their lives as crew members abandoned the ship.
Mr Josephs' body was recovered but Mr Wyatt's body was swept out to sea and has not been found. Two other crew were plucked to safety by rescue helicopter and admitted to hospital.
Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly, Eastern Bay of Plenty search and rescue coordinator, said local people were keeping an eye on the shoreline and police would conduct their final search on Saturday.
He said police has searched the whole coastline and were waiting for sea conditions to calm before the final search.
"To be honest, I don't hold a lot of hope we will find Damien. I'd love to, to return him to his family. I really do wish we could deliver."
Mr O'Reilly said the stretch of coastline was "unforgiving" and was "notorious for keeping bodies".
Sanford spokesman Tom Birdsall said a recovery team was at the scene today beginning the four-to-six day job of removing all diesel and other contaminants from the boat. The weather had held up the recovery until now.
The company's insurers and authorities would make the final decision on the fate of the San Cuvier, but it was not a main priority for Sanford, Mr Birdsall said.
Sanford was focused on the dead and injured men and their families and protecting the environment from the pollutants on board the boat.
- NZPA
