Police recover body of swimmer

North Shore Police have recovered the body of a man who went missing while swimming near Beach Haven wharf yesterday.

Birkdale resident Damon Barry Stevens, 39, disappeared about 5pm yesterday. Relatives found his body early this morning.

Acting Area Commander Inspector Steve Wood said Mr Stevens had intended to swim to a small boat moored nearby.

"The man had been in the vicinity of the wharf with a group of friends and family and it appears he decided to enter the water to converse with the dinghy owner," Inspector Wood said.

"After being in the water only a matter of minutes the man was in difficulty. He then disappeared beneath the surface. His son swam a short distance to rescue him but was unsuccessful."

A post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow.

- NZHERALD STAFF