A large-scale search effort is underway for a missing jet skier who departed Queen Charlotte Sound on Monday morning but never reached the Kāpiti Coast as planned.
Coastguard Marlborough volunteers began searching the Cook Strait on Monday evening, with additional support from Coastguard Mana on Tuesday, covering the Porirua coastline down to the strait. Tuesday’s efforts spanned 13 hours, involving 15 volunteers working alongside local police.
On Thursday, Coastguard Marlborough resumed the search, deploying three vessels—two combing the Cook Strait and one searching the Marlborough Sounds shoreline, checking rocks and caves. The search area was determined through collaboration between Police, the Rescue Coordination Centre, and insights from local fishermen and divers.
Coastguard Marlborough President David St John said 27 volunteers and three vessels were involved in Thursday’s operation, searching from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“We had a big morning searching as the weather was ideal, it was very calm, good for searching, but we are saddened we couldn’t locate him,” St John said.
St John also acknowledged the efforts of the Harbourmaster, recreational boaties, fishermen, and divers who contributed to the search.
Police are now reviewing search efforts and planning further activity.
Coastguard New Zealand extended their thoughts to the missing man’s family and friends, thanking the volunteers who have dedicated hours to the search.
