Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Dave Kennelly, SAR, Invercargill Police
Two fishermen are still missing off rocks at the bottom of the South Island near Bluff.
The alarm was raised yesterday by people nearby around 4:20pm, after the two men appeared to have been swept off rocks near Slope Point Road.
A large number of water crafts were deployed last night including rescue helicopters and swimmers, Coastguard and the Bluff Harbour pilot vessel the Takitimu. Also assisting was the Catlins water rescue teams, along with three Southern regional LandSAR groups.
The search continued at first light today and there are four IRBs deployed along with three commercial fishing vessels. A number of LandSAR teams are deployed around the shoreline. A helicopter will conduct air searches during the day.
Police are continuing to provide support to the family of the missing fishermen.
Media please note: There is no further information available at this stage - an update will be provided in the event of significant developments.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre