Search resumes for missing diver

File photo / Wanganui Chronicle

The search for a diver missing since yesterday afternoon off the coast of Raglan has resumed this morning.

The Auckland-based police Eagle helicopter was due to arrive in Raglan about 8am to begin a search based on tide and drift pattern advice from the Rescue Coordination Centre, police said.

The 36-year-old Te Awamutu diver had been diving with friends and family off Gannet Island when he got into difficulty about 2.30pm.

Members of his party raised the alarm about 2.45pm after they were unable to find him and a preliminary search began a short time later involving a number of vessels and fixed wing aircraft.

Police said the Coastguard would take the Wellington-based Police Dive Squad to the reef where the man went missing to conduct a search for the man.

A private helicopter would also travel down from Auckland to assist.

Police said members of the missing man's group did all that could be asked of them in that they were diving in a group and had a good, working maritime radio which allowed them to raise the alarm quickly.

- NZHERALD STAFF