Search for missing boatie suspended off coast of Tauranga

Please attribute the following to Senior Sergeant Mark Pakes:

After five days, the official search for missing boatie Karl Earwaker has now been suspended.

Karl was the sole occupant of the Sea Nymph named “Optimist”, which was discovered capsized two nautical miles south of Mayor Island on Tuesday afternoon, 21 March 2017.

After an extensive search both above and below the ocean surface, by Police Search and Rescue and Mr Earwaker’s family and friends, we have not found any leads as to where Karl may be.

I would like to thank all the volunteers from Coastguard, Land Search and Rescue, and our partner agencies who assisted us with this search.

Our thoughts are very much with Karl’s family and friends as they have to come to grips with the loss of a loved one.

The matter has now been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

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