The Navy Dive squad has joined the SAR operation, which is continuing today.
The Navy Dive squad left Bluff late last night to travel out to the site where the Easy Rider is sitting, about 5km north of Black Rock Point on Stewart Island.
The squad are in the water now and diving in the location of the vessel. They are being assisted by a remote camera to take pictures of the Easy Rider.
They are expected to complete the dives over the next few hours. Following that, the operation management team will re-assess the plan moving forward.
Overnight two vessels continued a grid search around the site of the vessel. There is now very little debris surfacing.
The search group today comprises the navy vessel and three other local commercial vessels. There is no aerial or ground search intended for today but a fixed wing aircraft is on standby. Two coastguard vessels are also on standby.
Four people are still missing from the Easy Rider.
Police are continuing to work closely with the families of those who were on the Easy Rider to offer them as much support as possible.
ENDS
Released by Inspector Lane Todd, Area Commander Southland
Media inquiries to 027 556 1814.
Note to media: a media conference will be held this afternoon. Details of this will be available on this website in the next few hours.