More than 20 people, along with boats, a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter are searching for a man in his 70s who is missing after a boat capsized this morning near Kaikoura.
Police have now established that two men aged 74 and 79 set off about 7am today to check crayfish pots in a 16ft boat. About 8.15am another boat found their semi-submerged vessel in Whaler's Bay, near Kaikoura.
Police and the Coastguard were alerted shortly after 9am and about 9.30am the body of a 74 year old man was located on the shoreline, about 200 metres from the stricken vessel.
The deceased man was wearing a lifejacket, but it had not been inflated.
This afternoon a large scale search continues for the missing 79 year old man. The Police Dive Squad will arrive to join the search later today.
The men's boat has been towed to shore and will be examined by Police investigators and Maritime New Zealand.
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Media inquiries to Tasman Police Communications Manager.