Vessel's crew spot missing diver

A diver missing off the Karori coast, near Wellington, was found early this morning.

He was spotted by a crew member on Strait Shipping's 6800-tonne freight vessel Kent at the entrance of Wellington Harbour.

Rescue co-ordinator Keith Allen said: "They heard the sound of voices in the water and when they were able to stop the boat they located the missing diver."

He said a fishing boat then picked up the 30-year-old, who had been in the water for 12 hours.

The Kent's captain said the crew member had gone up on deck for a cigarette at about 5am when he heard shouting.

He said it was pitch black and they used the vessel's searchlight to find the diver. The light picked up the man's reflective inflatable safety sausage and, after dropping a light float to mark the position, the Kent turned and sailed to the diver.

The ship stayed with the diver for about half and hour while a fishing boat in the area was directed over to pick him up, later dropping him at Seatoun wharf.

The man was estimated to have drifted about 10km in tidal flows after the boat he and two colleagues were using broke down off the coast of Karori at about 5pm.

The two other divers were rescued from the water last night as air and coastal searches continued for their colleague.

Mr Allen said the rescued man was wearing a full wetsuit and hood and was reportedly in good condition when picked up.

He was taken to hospital for a checkup and later discharged.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA