KEY POINTS:
The fishing trip that claimed Damian Wyatt's life was supposed to be his last.
The 35-year-old Tauranga fisherman, described by friends as having saltwater in his blood, was only helping out his skipper, Rick Josephs, because another crewman had a funeral to attend.
Now both men are dead
after the Sanford-owned San Cuvier - captained by Mr Josephs, 38, of Northland - hit rocks at Haurere Pt, east of Opotiki, early on Sunday.
Mr Wyatt's body has yet to be found.
Auckland fishermen Chasson Manukau, 22, and Thomas Tepania, 16, survived the tragedy after being winched from rocks by helicopter three hours after they abandoned ship in the remote and rugged location.
Mr Wyatt's brother Aidan yesterday told the Herald that Damian had met "the love of his life", Jo, a year ago and last week had bought furniture for the home they were to buy together.
Damian had been hoping to get a land-based job, Mr Wyatt said.
His brother was a large man and had the nickname "Beef". But he had recently lost 25kg and was "the fittest he's ever been". Damian belonged at sea and had fulfilled a life-long dream when he left school at 15 to pursue a career as a fisherman.
"He could not stand being on land for any length of time. The sea was in his blood and she's taken it back. Now that she's taken his life, we just want her to release him.
"He used to actually get land-sickness - like we would at sea. How most people are when they are out at sea, he would be like that on land."
Mr Wyatt said he would not be surprised if his brother died after making sure the younger crew members and Mr Josephs were safe. "He's very much like that."
Mr Wyatt said his brother had received a commendation for his actions in another maritime emergency off Northland last August, in which his vessel, the 13m Mana Rose, was wrecked.
Damian Wyatt was forced to deliberately steer the boat on to rocks in Takou Bay after it began taking on water.
He loved the sea so much that he was out fishing again the next week, although he decided not to buy another boat, and worked for others.
Mr Wyatt grew up in Tauranga. He also surfed and was a strong swimmer. He was a fisherman for about seven years before becoming a qualified skipper.
Mr Wyatt had his own quota with Sanford and was highly regarded in the industry.
"Everybody who is involved today with fishing knows who he is, and he was only 35 years old. He was a legend," Aidan Wyatt said.
Details of the accident are still emerging but it is believed Damian Wyatt and Mr Josephs were in a liferaft that capsized.
It has also emerged that rescuers had Mr Wyatt's body in their clutches but the rough weather tore it from the helicopter's winch.
"My brother was in the harness being rescued but he got washed out of the harness," Aidan Wyatt said.
"The chopper got low on fuel and they had to leave. When they got back, he was gone."
Family members gathered at their mother's Tauranga home to support one another.
"All we're concerned about is getting my brother out of the water," Mr Wyatt said.
The family are desperately hoping Damian's body is found before another storm, predicted to hit the North Island today, hits.
Maritime New Zealand and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are examining the accident.
A Search and Rescue operation run by police is expected to continue by sea and air today.
