A close shoreline foot search will be carried out this afternoon on Secretary Island in Doubtful Sound for the two men missing from the K'Cee crayboat.
The skipper of the crayfishing vessel K-Cee, Bruce Gordon, 42, and crew member Darren Allen, 37, have not been heard from since Monday.
The search is expected to cover an area of approximately 1km in the vicinity of Rocky Point, where the K'Cee's bow was located on Tuesday.
Ten SAR and Police searchers will be helicoptered into the area around midday. An aerial search with two helicopters to support the ground search will also take place, and be supported by two vessels on the water in the immediate locality. The search is timed to take place around low tide.
Weather conditions are favourable.
While searchers are looking for any signs of anything significant from the K'Cee, Police say that as time passes they are less optimistic of a positive outcome.
Police would like to acknowledge the huge effort of the local Te Anau SAR community in supporting the search and the local commercial fishing vessels.
The Police Dive Squad is returning to Wellington this morning.
ENDS
Released by Inspector Lane Todd, Area Commander Southland
Media inquiries to Southern District Communications Manager on 027 556 1814
Note to media: there will be no further media updates until approximately 5pm today.