23 January 2008
A man initially reported as having drowned after falling from rocks off the Waikato's west coast yesterday appears to have actually fallen from a boat that failed to negotiate the Raglan Bar.
Sergeant Brent Wallace of Raglan Police said the body of the 53-year-old man was recovered from the surf off Te Kaha Pt (Mussel Rocks) about 3.30pm.
"The man was last seen heading out alone on his 16ft boat about 11.30am by his partner's sister. He wasn't wearing a life jacket," said Mr Wallace.
"It appears the boat has failed to negotiate the bar and he has been swept from the vessel, at this point we'd like to reinforce them message of the importance of boaties and rock-fishermen observing basic safety principles such as wearing life jackets."
The man's boat has yet to be recovered and Police have notified the Coastguard and are asking boaties to keep an eye out for it.
The man's name has yet to be released to allow his family time to notify extended family.
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