Katikati fisherman found alive

UPDATED: The 60-year-old Katikati man reported missing when he failed to return from a fishing trip in the Tauranga Harbour has been found alive.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hot line says the man has been found at Sharpe Road.


Searchers recovered the man's boat this morning.


Search and rescue teams resumed searching for the man this morning and got the news he was found alive on Sharpe Road a short time later.

"It's reported he has been in the water since 3am."

Police have confirmed the man was found at a Sharpe Road address this morning.

"At about 7.40am police and ambulance were called to an address in Sharpe Road, Aongatete, after the man went to the address for assistance after making his way ashore early this morning," says a statement from police.

"He was uninjured, but tired and suffering from the effects of exposure. He has been taken to Tauranga Hospital by ambulance for treatment."

Earlier:

Tauranga Police are concerned for a 60-year-old Katikati man reported overdue from a fishing trip in the Tauranga Harbour just after midnight.

The missing man launched his 12' aluminium runabout off Beach Road Katikati sometime between 3pm and 5pm on Friday.

He was due to return at about 7pm and was reported missing just after midnight.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says while the boat is reasonably well equipped with life jackets and other safety equipment, the man is relatively inexperienced.

Glenn says the man normally fishes in the channel approximately 1km from shore. Attempts to contact the man by cell phone have proved unsuccessful.

A police search and rescue operation was carried out when the man was reported missing with the assistance of Waihi Coastguard, Waihi Surf Club, Tauranga Coastguard and the TECT rescue helicopter with the aid of night vision. Four rescue craft remained on the water overnight looking for the man.

Glenn says at this time it is not clear what the sea and weather conditions were at the time the missing man ventured onto the water, at the time he was reported missing the tide was low and the sea calm. There are weather warnings in place for Saturday with rough sea conditions forecast.

'Given the man's inexperience, the length of time he has been missing, and the forecast of bad weather, police are very concerned for the man's wellbeing and are keen to find him.

'We are hopeful he has beached somewhere and is awaiting daylight with a view to being found.

'Sea searches are continuing, shore line searches will commence shortly after day break, and depending on the weather further aerial searches will also be undertaken.”

Police are asking anyone in the area to be vigilant for any sign of the dinghy.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tauranga Police on 07 5774300.

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