Friends and family describe the Invercargill man killed in Monday's Doubtful Sound boating accident, Jason Ross Nilsen (33), as a man with "fishing in his blood" who would give the shirt off his back for anyone.
Both the commercial cray fisherman's parents came from fishing families, tracing back to his grandfather, a fishing identity known locally as "Two Ton".
"Jason was just a real fisherman," said a family member, who did not want to be named.
"He always lived on the sea - he was just brought up to be out there."
The family was coping as "best as they can", but Jason Nilsen would be missed.
Close family friend Robert White, on whose commercial fishing boat Mr Nilsen worked, said he was an "all-round good guy".
"He was a good person, a character who would help anyone out - would give them the shirt off his back."
Mr Nilsen, who was born and raised in Bluff but shifted to Invercargill three years ago, leaves behind a partner and two children by different mothers.
Department of Conservation staff discovered a damaged 6m alloy boat containing Mr Nilsen's body and an injured man floating near Blanket Bay about 8.45am on Monday.
The injured man was airlifted to Southland Hospital, Invercargill, with serious head injuries, and was yesterday transferred to Dunedin Hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.
Sergeant Tod Hollebon, of Te Anau, yesterday said police were keeping an open mind, but believed the two men left Precipice Cove about 11.30pm before apparently striking rocks in Doubtful Sound.
He said police were not sure exactly when the incident occurred.
The New Zealand Press Association reported yesterday the damaged boat could have drifted for nine hours before being found.
"We are still working through the circumstances of the crash, and working with the Maritime Safety Authority," Sgt Hollebon said.
