Fears are growing for a fisherman who has been missing from New Plymouth since Saturday morning (7 February).
The 53-year-old New Plymouth man, who isn't being named at this stage, was last seen rowing his small aluminium dinghy across the inner port from the main breakwater towards Blyde Wharf between 8.30am and 8.45am. He was possibly wearing khaki shorts, a red striped polo shirt and a suede, felt acoubra style hat
At 9.08am his dinghy was found floating about 30 metres off the wharf. He was missing but all his fishing equipment, chilly bin, oars and lifejacket were still in the dinghy.
Initially police did not know who the missing man was and they spent some time making enquiries and placing leaflets on cars by the wharf appealing for assistance while searches got underway. It wasn't until around 3pm that they established who owned the boat and were informed by his family that the missing man cannot swim.
Throughout the weekend there have been extensive air and water searches by the TET Rescue helicopter, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving IRBs, Coastguard Air Patrol, Police Dive Squad and Police.
Aerial and land searches using Coastguard, Surf Life Saving IRBs and the Coastguard Air Patrol will get underway at port Taranaki at low tide today which is expected to be around 4.30pm.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.