A search is under way in the Endeavour Inlet area of Queen Charlotte Sound for a man lost overboard from a private launch in the early hours of this morning.
The man is believed to have fallen from the 14 metre launch about 2am and has not been seen since. The boat had left Furneaux Lodge and was motoring towards Punga Cove at the time of the incident.
Police, Coastguard a helicopter and the Straightsman have been involved in the search overnight. The Police Dive Squad will be deployed from Wellington to the area on the Police launch Lady Elizabeth lV.
The missing man was not wearing a lifejacket.
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