Police name drowned man

A man who drowned in Queen Charlotte Sound's Endeavour Inlet in Marlborough at the weekend has been named.

He was Robin Marshall Toole, 29, who worked as a groundsman at Furneaux Lodge in the Sounds.

He set off to return to the lodge in an inflatable dinghy on Sunday night after spending time with friends at Punga Cove.

A search was launched for him on Monday afternoon when his empty boat was found ashore at Baker's Bay and his body was found near Furneaux Lodge about 6.15pm.

Senior Sergeant Peter Payne from the Picton police told the Marlborough Express it was another sad incident involving an intoxicated person driving a boat.

Mr Toole's parents live in Nelson. It is believed other family members are in Taranaki.

- NZPA