The missing persons can now be named as 77 year old Whetuki Sam Kopua and 60 year old Matekino Lucy Burling, both of Owaka.
Approximately 60 searchers have been scouring the South Otago coastline today in a variety of ways, there have been coastal searches of beaches, aerial searches with helicopters and an aeroplane, plus boats have been on the water all day looking for the missing persons.
Mr Kopua’s boat was found overturned in the sea south east of Nugget Point. Mr Kopua and Ms Burling were not found with the boat.
Searchers are continuing to look in areas north and south of where the boat was located.
The search will continue through the day and again tomorrow.
ENDS
Released by Sergeant Martin BULL