A survivor of the Kaipara Harbour disaster was too big for the lifejackets, and desperately clung to the flotation devices while he swam to shore badly injured.
Iripa Iripa, in his 50s, was one of 11 men aboard the Francie when it capsized on the Kaipara bar in rough seas on Saturday afternoon.
He was also just one of three survivors.
Iripa, was on the boat with a group of friends, all of Pacific Island descent, and the vessel's skipper, Bill McNatty.
McNatty has been confirmed as one of the seven deceased, with one man still missing.