Rescue teams have been out since first light as the search continues for two fishermen missing off rocks east of Bluff in the South Island.
The alarm was raised by people nearby about 4.20pm yesterday, after the two men appeared to have been swept off rocks near Slope Point Rd.
Searchers called in include the rescue helicopters from Queenstown and Dunedin, rescue swimmers, Bluff Coastguard, Bluff Harbour pilot vessel the Takitimu, and Catlins water rescue teams, as well as three Southern region LandSAR groups.
The helicopters were stood down at nightfall, but land- and water-based search crews had continued in a limited capacity.
A police spokeswoman this morning said the search began again at first light.
