Missing kayaker's parents visit search area

Police say there is little chance of the 19-year-old kayaker being found alive. Photo / Thinkstock

The parents of missing kayaker Cameron Millar will today visit the part of Wellington Harbour where he was last seen three days ago after he was tipped into the water between Eastbourne and Ward Island.

Navy sonar equipment will also be used in the continuing search but police say there is little chance of the 19-year-old being found alive.

Constable Craig Pickering, a senior launch master with the Wellington Maritime Unit, said the search would be concentrated on the area where he was last seen, and would look at objects in the water reported by members of the public since yesterday.

Mr Millar's parents would be taken to the search area and be briefed on the search efforts since Wednesday, which have involved boats, helicopters, divers and searches of the shoreline.

Mr Millar, originally from Hamilton, was tipped from his kayak and became separated from his paddling companion late on Wednesday afternoon. He was not wearing a lifejacket and his kayak was found on the shore and a rucksack and paddle in the water.

Mr Pickering said the police dive squad would probably be back in the water this afternoon after replenishing their diving equipment following their efforts yesterday.

Sonar equipment had been requested from the navy, which could arrive tomorrow, he said.

The water temperature in Wellington Harbour is about 10degC.

Yesterday police search and rescue Acting Sergeant Anthony Harmer said that considering the time Mr Millar would have been in the water it was highly unlikely he would have been able to survive.

- NZPA