As the sun rose, streaking the dawn sky in dramatic pinks and purples, Saturday morning in Kaikōura was perfect.
Within hours that early morning perfection had become the scene of a nightmare.
Peter Hockley, Susan Cade, Cathye Haddock, Diana Stewart and Maureen Pierre were dead and six others were desperately trying to stay alive after a whale flipped a boat chartered for a photography expedition off the Kaikōura coast.
It should have been an idyllic day on the water for the keen photographers - all members of the Nature Photography Society of New Zealand.
Between the bird life, sea creatures and the expanse of views from the snow-capped alps to the rolling coastal landscape they would have been spoiled with views.
But by 10am one of New Zealand's worst modern maritime tragedies was unfolding.
A source told the Herald that a sperm whale breached directly underneath the Fish Kaikoura boat, capsizing the vessel at Goose Bay.
Five of the photographers and the skipper were hurled overboard into the cold sea. The others were trapped under the upturned hull.
Somehow those in the water managed to scramble on top of the stricken vessel, which began to drift slowly towards the shore on the incoming tide, helped by gentle swells.
The skipper made a mayday call and help soon converged.
Kaikōura helicopter pilot Daniel Stevenson was above the scene in just four minutes. A nearby boat took the five survivors onboard and whisked them to South Bay less than 20 minutes away.
The Kaikōura Coastguard arrived soon after and attempts were made to get under the vessel and try to save those still in the water.
Stevenson dashed north to Kaikōura and collected a diver to help.
When they got back to Goose Bay the diver jumped straight from the hovering chopper into the ocean and managed to get under the upturned boat - but it was too late to save those trapped below.
Before
The 10 photographers had travelled from Christchurch and Wellington for a three-day jaunt in and around Kaikoura.
The trip had been planned for months and coincided with a local 48-hour photography exhibition.
Among the photographic missions planned for the weekend - and undoubtedly a highlight for the group - was a "birding trip" with Fish Kaikōura Charters.
The three-hour trip cost $80 per person and kicked off at South Bay, the town's main marina.
The skipper ran through the usual safety briefing with the group and a source said each person was issued a lifejacket.
About 9am, armed with cameras and keen eyes, they set off on the 8.5m aluminium boat.
During
The skipper navigated from South Bay down the coastline to Goose Bay near the well-known twin road tunnels on State Highway 1.
On a normal day, the sea is rough here but on Saturday the water was said to be unusually flat and calm - almost glassy, with no real swell and not a breath of wind.
After an hour at Goose Bay the skipper steered the boat for the popular tourist spot Barneys Rock.
Less than 100m from the shore, the rock is often covered with birds and is known for seals.
The Herald has learned that as the charter boat motored slowly north it was likely on the edge of a deep trench - a place well known for whales because of its 3km drop.
Suddenly, a sperm whale came up directly beneath the boat.
"We could see that clearly from here we had the telescope clearly on it," he said.
"We were just in shock, we just sat here and just watched the whole thing. [There was] nothing we could do, we had all the emergency services down there."
Anderson and his wife have lived at Goose Bay for two decades.
He said they only see whales near their home "once or twice" a year, and they normally do not go close to boats.
"[It's a] terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy that's just out of the blue," he said.
"There's nothing you can do."
The Department of Conservation would later confirm it had not received any reports of injured whales near Kaikōura or the surrounding area.
It said there had been no other incidents or encounters reported between boats and whales.
After
News of the fatalities began to filter through and the families of those on board were desperate for news.
Had their mother, father, sister, brother, friend, colleague made it to shore?
It must have been agonising.
Nature Photography Society of New Zealand vice president Richard Hensby issued a statement on the group's Facebook page within hours, confirming its members were involved.
He said the society was "saddened by the tragic loss at sea" but would not comment further.
"Investigations are continuing by Maritime NZ as to what caused the vessel to capsize and it is not appropriate for the society to comment further," he said.
"In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families of those members of the society who have lost their lives."
The sad list of names began to emerge, and those who knew and loved the victims paid tribute.
Peter Simpson was "obviously very upset" when he spoke to the AM Show about his wife Cathye Haddock on Monday morning.
"I feel like I've been run over by a truck but there are lots of people around, family, Cathye's family, my family, lots and lots of friends," he said.
"I was away on a motorcycle trip with another friend… and I found out later in the afternoon when I turned on my phone.
"That's when I put two and two together, when I saw the news report that something was wrong.
"So I made efforts to contact the police and was able to get more information that way."
Her son Fletcher posted a photo on Facebook revealing that she had sent it to him just hours before she died.
The dramatic skyscape was taken in the early morning, depicting the beauty and promise of the day ahead.
Little did anyone know when Stewart sent it that it would be one of her last photographs.
Fletcher Stewart later shared his memories of his mother with the Herald.
"My mum is the most wonderful mum, grandma, daughter, sister, aunty and friend," he said.
"Diana was a very talented photographer and enjoyed travelling to remote parts of New Zealand to photograph what would always turn out to be unique pictures of landscapes and wildlife.
"Mum made many close friends through their shared passion; they remember her kindness and generosity.
"She always helped new photographers who were just starting out, and was always there with guidance and advice."
Fletcher Stewart said the Kaikoura trip was one of the many his mother had made with the society "all over the country".
On the trip she hoped to capture albatrosses which was "something she had wanted to do for years".
"She wasn't just a talented photographer, her talents spread to painting, handicraft and fashion," her only son said.
"There are a lot of small children - including her precious granddaughter and friends - who have benefited from these talents; she has designed and knitted entire wardrobes for them."
Stewart would be remembered most for "her kindness, her caring and generosity", said her son.
"She would go out of her way to help anyone in any way they needed.
"Her number one priority was family and was always there when we needed her."
Fletcher Stewart said he and his family would "take comfort" from the fact his mother "was doing something she loved, with good friends" when she died.
"Our thoughts and love are also with the families of the other victims and, of course, to those who survived," he said.
"We also want to thank all those involved in the recovery and rescue."
Pierre was a founding member of the society and had worked for many years as a teacher at Isleworth School in Bishopdale.
The investigation
Multiple investigations are under way into the tragedy and answers could be months if not years away.
The police and Coroner will finalise reports on what happened as well as the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
TAIC opens an inquiry when it believes the circumstances of an accident or incident have - or are likely to have - significant implications for transport safety, or when the inquiry may allow it to make findings or recommendations to improve transport safety.
TAIC chief investigator Naveen Kozhuppakalam said two investigators had been assigned to "secure evidence, talk to witnesses, examine any electronic evidence available and look at the circumstances" of the tragedy.
Because of the investigations, the owners of the charter boat were reluctant to speak in depth about what had happened.
Mark and Sharlene Ealam own Fish Kaikoura and are well known in the local charter and tourism realm.