Two dead after fishing trip turns to tragedy

The Coastguard and an RNZAF Iriqois helicopter were involved in the search for the men. File photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Two Levin men are dead after a fishing trip off Waitarere Beach turned to tragedy.

The men, aged 55 and 51, set out on their trip in a 4.2m aluminium boat about 9.30am yesterday.

About 9.30pm police were told a vehicle and a boat trailer had been noticed on the beach about 2.5km south of Waitarere township.

Police checked with family of the vehicle's owner and found out the men were overdue from a fishing trip.

Police central district search and rescue coordinator Bill Nicholson said a full scale search was launched involving four boats from the Manawatu Volunteer Coastguard, two boats from Kapiti and Waikanae Volunteer Coastguards and one boat from Wanganui.

Three aircraft, including an RNZAF Iroquois helicopter, a Westpac Life Flight Trust aircraft from Wellington and a twin-engined specialist search aircraft from Taupo, also took part using night vision goggles, flood lights and radar.

At 1.32am today the missing boat was found about 4.5km off the coast by Hokio Beach, 10km north-west of Levin.

"The vessel was located with the tip of its bow protruding from the water and later sunk," Mr Nicholson said.

At 2.12am the body of one of the men was found by the Iroquois helicopter, and at 2.33am the second body was found. Both men were wearing lifejackets.

Mr Nicholson said the names of the dead men would be released after next of kin had been notified.

A coroner's inquest and a Maritime New Zealand investigation have been launched.

"Efforts will be made over the next few days to locate the sunken boat in an effort to establish the cause of the mishap," he said.

"It is believed the vessel carried a VHF marine radio and flares, but no emergency position indicating beacon."

Mr Nicholson said 47 people were involved in the search, including 39 on the boats and aircraft, and the remainder in search management.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and the Marine Operation Centre also helped police with the search.

- NZPA

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