23 Nov 2015

No sign of missing crab fisherman

12:50 pm on 23 November 2015

An extensive search for more than 24 hours has failed to find a man who went missing while crab fishing near Waipu, in Northland.

Uretiti Beach had grown in popularity attracting more tourists, campers and crab hunters said Craig Brown.

The man disappeared off the coast at Uretiti Photo: 123RF

Police said the 35-year-old was out in a small inflatable dinghy at Uretiti, but strong winds blew him out to sea.

The dinghy was found yesterday.

Surf lifesaving clubs, police officers, search and rescue teams, the local coastguard and members of the man's family have all been searching the water and beaches for the man.

Two planes and a helicopter are also searching from the air.