It is proving to be an "exceptionally bad" year for the South, with another tragedy on the water, Bluff Fishermen's Shore Station Radio owner and operator Meri Leask says.
In the latest incident, skipper Kevin Cosgrove (60), of Dobson, and crewman Nirvana Drew Reynolds (16), of Blackball, are missing, along with their fishing boat Governor, off Fiordland.
They were last heard from about 11.30am on Saturday, when their net reportedly snagged while trawling.
The incident was the fourth boating tragedy in the area this year. -
• January 2012: Recreational boat sinks near Ruapuke Island (2 dead).
• March 2012: Easy Rider sinks in Foveaux Strait (8).
• May 2012: K'Cee sinks in Doubtful Sound (2).
"I've been doing this job for 34 years and I've never known so much tragedy in such a short time. It's been a very difficult year for a lot of people," Mrs Leask said.
Both missing men were reportedly based in Greymouth, although the Otago Daily Times understands the skipper was originally from Bluff, where family members remain.
The missing teenager had lived in Oamaru, where he attended secondary school, before moving with family to the West Coast a few years ago, the ODT was told last night.
An extensive search yesterday failed to find any further sign of the men or the boat, missing from Yates Point, north of the Milford Sound mouth.
About 5pm on Saturday, a fishing vessel came across a fuel slick near the mouth, and about 90 minutes later, an empty, inflated life raft was found drifting, about 12km southwest of the oil slick.
A life ring and some other items were also found before the search stopped about 8.30pm on Saturday due to weather conditions.
Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley said the search would be scaled down to a limited search today.
