“Initial inquiries were undertaken, including further searches of the vessel and attempts to contact the man,” Gifford said.
She said CCTV camera footage from the Kaiārahi ferry confirmed the man went into the water just after 11pm – about two hours after the ship left Picton.
“Following confirmation of this, the Police Maritime Unit and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) were formally engaged shortly after 4am, and a co-ordinated maritime search and rescue operation was initiated,” she said.
Gifford said multiple police, coastguard and aerial assets were deployed to find the man and drift modelling was used to guide search activity.
“Weather conditions deteriorated throughout the day, reducing the effectiveness of surface searching. Expert advice received indicated survivability was extremely unlikely.”
She said the maritime surface search in the area had been completed, but broadcasts requesting vessels in the area to keep watch for the man would continue.
Police were in contact with the man’s next of kin, and the Coroner’s office had been advised.
– RNZ