15 Jun 2016

Search over for missing Platino sailor

7:40 pm on 15 June 2016

Rescuers have ended the search for a sailor missing in the Pacific Ocean since Monday.

Auckland boat builder Nick Saull died on board and another man in his 60s was swept overboard after bad weather hit the yacht Platino 550 kilometres north of New Zealand.

The three surviving crew were rescued by a passing container ship yesterday afternoon.

The Rescue Coordination Centre says the missing man is understood to have been relatively lightly clothed and not wearing a lifejacket.

The mission coordinator, Ramon Davis, said they have taken all possible steps to find him but have found no trace.

He said the search has been suspended but a notice has gone to ships travelling through the area to keep a look out for him.

A tug boat is on its way to the Platino to recover the body of the man who was killed at sea.

Police said they were acting on behalf of the coroner to recover the man's body from onboard the Platino.

A tug boat left Whangarei late last night with a maritime officer on board and police said it could take two or three days to reach it.