Answers on missing yachtie have to wait for two weeks

Missing yachtie Rex Fearon. Photo / Supplied

The family of missing yachtie Rex Fearon hope to get some answers about his fate when the boat he was on arrives in two weeks.

Fearon, 41, vanished from The Wild Goose on Thursday about 150 nautical miles from Rarotonga during calm conditions.

The vessel was skippered by experienced Australian yachtie Jamie Mitchell.

He is known in sailing circles for taking nine years to circumnavigate the globe, arriving back in Australia last year.

Fearon, from Wellington, had been at sea with Mitchell and another crewman for only one day.

An extensive search covering 390sq km failed to find the Wellington man.

Authorities are planning to question Mitchell and one other crew member when the 14m The Wild Goose arrives in Opua, Northland.

Fearon's older brother, Maurice Fearon, said the family continued to hold on to hope: "There are sort of conflicting stories about what has happened. No one really knows.

"No one knows whether he was seen actually falling overboard or whether he was thrown a rope because the communication between the vessel and aircraft wasn't very good. They only had a VHF radio," Maurice said.

"It's unfortunate because we won't find out anything until their boat lands.

"They haven't found a body...you've got to hold on to something. I think it will take a few days to sink in."

Maurice said his brother had done a number of sailing courses and owned a yacht which he sailed around the Wellington Harbour.

He said Fearon had wanted to sail from Rarotonga to New Zealand but not solo because of the sea conditions.

"He decided it was probably safer to do it with other people, with more experienced guys on board."

Fearon had travelled extensively.

"He had done everything from chefing at Bellamy's years ago to having his own gymnasium," said Maurice.

"He liked going over to LA and working in the gyms over there and getting to meet some top sportsmen.

"He used to do a lot of different things. I think he gets bored easily.

"He moves at a fast pace and we're used to him not being here when he travels."

Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Kevin Banaghan said the chances of finding Fearon alive were remote.

He was not wearing a lifejacket.

After 12 hours in the water, a person would begin to suffer from dehydration and exhaustion, especially without a lifejacket.

"It is common practice for [yachtsmen] not to wear lifejackets for long voyages," said Banaghan.

"There's not a lot we can do for the family now but explaining what we have done might ease their pain somewhat."

The search for Fearon was suspended on Friday afternoon.