2 Aug 2011

Foveaux Strait search for ferry passenger

10:22 pm on 2 August 2011

Police say it is unlikely a man has survived in the waters of Foveaux Strait after he went missing from a ferry on Tuesday night.

Senior Sergeant Dave Raynes says a search began on Tuesday night for the 67-year-old who was last seen on the ferry mid-way through its sailing to Stewart Island.

Mr Raynes says other passengers did not see the lightly clothed man enter the water, but he was was not on the ferry when it docked.

The Coastguard, a tug boat from Bluff and a helicopter with night vision equipment are trying to cover a large area on Tuesday night.