Still no sign of missing Russell man

File Photo / NZ Herald

A Bay of Islands man feared drowned after he went missing two weeks ago has not turned up yet, and a police search yesterday is expected to be the last.

Earl Raison, 48, was at the Russell Boating Club on the night of August 13, and was last seen at a nearby house before he disappeared.

Police believe he tried to row in his dinghy across Matauwhi Bay to his yacht and fell out, possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The weather that night had been very rough, with gale force winds.

His overturned dinghy, containing a bag of clothing, was found on the shore the following morning, and police, the Coastguard and local residents searched the area.

A further search yesterday by the Northland police search and rescue team of the shoreline on foot, and in kayaks around the bay, failed to find Mr Raison, a police spokeswoman said.

"Police are asking that people contact them if they come across any clothing that could have belonged to the man or oars that could have been in his dinghy, or anything else that may be of interest."

The Rawhiti and Waitangi Marae have placed a tapu on the Matauwhi Bay and Orongo Bay area, which means fishing and taking shellfish is prohibited.

The tapu will be in place until further notice.

- NZPA