Police divers called in for missing Auckland boatie in Manukau Harbour

The family of a man was lost overboard when his boat capsized on the Manukau Harbour are keeping vigil at water’s edge as they wait for him to be found.

Police divers were called in today to look for the man who has not been seen since late Tuesday afternoon when the small vessel he was on sank.

A survivor of the upturned boat raised the alarm that someone was missing after a treacherous swim to shore in large swells.

The boat was towed back to shore on Tuesday evening but, despite ongoing efforts, the man has remained unaccounted for.

The Police National Dive Squad was due in the area today to look for the man and further aerial searches were expected to be conducted by the police Eagle helicopter at low tide.

This morning the family of the missing man were gathered harbourside, sitting at the edge of the boat ramp near Māngere Bridge.

Members of the missing boatie's family, Shaye Ciua, Melani Ciua, with Spear the staffy, wait for news from police on Māngere Bridge. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The family told the Herald they have been coming to the bridge for the past few days since the man was lost overboard and hadn’t returned from the boat trip.

Iwi have been advised and a rāhui has been put in place covering much of the area for at least seven days.

Land Search and Rescue staff have been on Puketutu Island, searching its coastline and interiors for the missing man, while Coastguard vessels have been searching the water surrounding the island.

This morning Coastguard confirmed they were no longer out on the water looking for him.

On social media, Auckland Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman expressed his gratitude to the Papakura Coastguard volunteers who searched.

“The Papakura crew joined Titirangi Coastguard, Auckland Airport hovercraft and the Westpac Rescue Waikato helicopter as they searched for four hours to locate a missing person. Unfortunately, our emergency services were unsuccessful and they were stood down late last night,” he said.

“I am profoundly sorry to the family of the missing person. I thank our first responders for their efforts, our community thanks you all.”

On Tuesday night, a Coastguard spokeswoman said water conditions were ”challenging due to swell and darkness”.

Coastguard battled large swells and darkness to try to find the missing boatie in the Manukau Harbour, before the search was suspended.

The alert was raised with police after the pair got into trouble just before 6pm.

Three Coastguard vessels were on the water searching, including Coastguard Titirangi and Coastguard Papakura. The Herald understands the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter was also involved.

The search was concentrated near Auckland Airport but went as far as the Manukau Heads and the eastern bays such as Laingholm.

Auckland International Airport’s hovercraft was also on the water.

Police said they were called to the harbour at 5.50pm on Tuesday. A spokeswoman confirmed one person had been found safe and did not need medical attention.