By BRIDGET CARTER
Two men believed drowned off the Northland coast after a boat trip were catching fish for the younger man's 21st birthday party, due to be held this weekend.
The men, who have not been named, are uncle and nephew.
It is understood the older man, in his 50s, had a heart condition that may have contributed to yesterday's accident.
The pair were reported missing five hours after they were due back from the fishing trip.
They had set off in a four-metre aluminium boat against family advice, to check a set net about 1.6km off Whananaki, 42km north of Whangarei.
The boat was spotted overturned in the sea by the Eagle police at 8.30 last night. Part of the net was wrapped around it.
Five police divers from Wellington will check the rest of the net today for the men's bodies.
Whangarei Senior Sergeant Dave Palmer said the men were not thought to be wearing life jackets but may have had heavy rain jackets on which might have pulled them down.
He said the 20-year-old was a good swimmer but it was not known if his uncle could swim at all.
The family did not report the men missing for several hours because they had conducted their own search.
Elizabeth Reef, where they were fishing, is a popular spot for locals.
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