Possible sighting was wrong boat

Tasman, 13 March 2014 - Police say information that has come to light about a possible sighting of the missing launch Erie and its skipper William Kerry Blair has been eliminated from the investigation.

Sergeant Bill Talbot said Police had established that the sighting on Monday was not the missing boat.

Police are today no closer to establishing what Mr Blair's intended destination was when he left Erie Bay in the Marlborough Sounds on Saturday afternoon.

Weather and sea conditions since then have been good and Mr Blair is considered a capable seaman. The boat is equipped with a marine radio and alocator beacon, neither of which has been used.

Sergeant Talbot said Police were continuing to appeal for sightings over marine radio and were asking all members of the public on or near the water to keep an eye out for the launch.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation should call Blenheim Police Ph 03 578 5279.

ENDS

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