Hopes fade for Kiwi overboard

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Hopes are fading for the survival of a New Zealander lost overboard in the Pacific Ocean more than 24 hours ago.

A French Naval aircraft and container vessel Forum Pacific have now abandoned their search for the man.

An RNZAF Orion called off its search this morning.

The man was lost off yacht Wild Goose while it was travelling about 150 nautical miles south west of Rarotonga at 2pm yesterday.

He was not wearing a lifejacket.

His two remaining crew launched an unsuccessful rescue attempt before making a distress call to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand at 4pm.

The Airforce Orion arrived in the area to continue the search after dark yesterday.

It was joined by the Forum Pacific and a French Naval vessel from French Polynesia today.

Despite the searchers scouring 390 square kilometres, there was no sign of the man.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Kevin Banaghan said despite a water temperature of about 23 degress celsius, the missing man's chances of surviving beyond 12 hours were significantly reduced.

Maritime New Zealand media centre spokesman Nick Churchouse acknowledged the search had been scaled back.

But he did not want to give up on the possibility the man could still be alive.

"There's always hope. The yacht is not leaving."

The remaining crew of the Wild Goose are continuing to search for their lost crewmate.

They had set off from Rarotonga on November 3, bound for Opua, Northland.