Coastguard officials want to know why it took 45 minutes to alert them to a drowning at Waiwera north of Auckland yesterday.
Seven-year-old Casper Rennie of Ohakune disappeared when he and four other people were caught in a rip and swept out to sea as they collected kina.
Auckland Volunteer Coastguard duty officer Dean Lawrence said today it took 20 minutes for the alarm to be raised with police and he believed a further 25 minutes for the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard to be called.
He said as soon as the coastguard was alerted, an "all stations" message was broadcast on the VHF channel 86, the coastguard's working channel, and two boats rushed to the area to help in the search for the missing boy.
By the time they arrived the search had started and Mr Lawrence said while the delay may not have affected the outcome, it was important to get as many searchers to the area as soon as possible.
A rescue boat from Kawau Island was also sent to the area and searched among the rocks.
"We are looking for an initial response to get as many resources to the area as possible to get the best possible result."
He said he wanted to confirm the times with police and if there was a delay, the coastguard was keen to see it did not happen again.
However, Rodney area police controller Inspector Chris Robinson said the Hibiscus Coast Sea Rescue was told of the incident within five minutes but could not get its boat started. They were affiliated to the coastguard.
The police launch Deodar which operates out of the same marine centre as the coastguard was also advised immediately
He said police were still looking into the incident.
- NZPA
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