Search and Rescue Council to investigate boating tragedy

3.00pm

Sunday's boating tragedy off the North Otago coast is to be investigated by the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council, Transport Minister Paul Swain instructed today.

One man died and two are missing, presumed drowned, after their boat was swamped about 10am. Two other people from the boat were rescued about 1pm and questions have been raised over how long that took.

Mr Swain said in a statement that the newly formed council would commission an independent investigator to establish what had happened and look at whether current procedures were adequate.

The report is expected to take about two months.

The report will look at responsibility and accountability issues.

The council investigation would be in addition to the Maritime Safety Authority's accident investigation and standard reviews of internal processes by the National Rescue Coordination Centre and police.

"This has been a tragic loss of life," Mr Swain said.

"My thoughts are with these people's families and friends at this time."

Richard Graham Wallis, 63, was killed in the incident and his brother Keith Wallis, 62, of Dunedin, and Tainui Pompey Kani, 42, of Timaru, are missing.

The survivors were Phillip Edwards, 44, of Timaru, and Ian Anderson, 43, of Oamaru.

It appeared the men's boat had taken water after a fishing line caught in the propeller.

The boat's emergency locater beacon was activated at 10.15am, but it was not until 11.20am that a satellite could pinpoint its location off Kakanui Point.

At 12.10pm, a Dunedin-based rescue helicopter was sent to search for the boat and its crew, finding the two survivors and the dead man.

Police later said they had asked commercial boats in the area to keep an eye out for any sign of the men.

No private boats were taking part in a search today due to 50 knot winds.

Two police officers would search local beaches on quad bikes tomorrow.

Police hoped a southerly wind might bring the missing men back to the shoreline.

- NZPA