The police dive squad has for the first time joined the search for two teenagers and their instructor who were swept into rough seas off the coast of New Plymouth more than a week ago.
Bryce Jourdain, 42, Joao Felipe Martins De Melo and Stephen Lewis Kahukaka-Gedye, both 17, have not been seen since a rock-climbing adventure at Paritutu Rock went wrong on August 8.
Police, Taranaki Surf Life Saving staff and local volunteers have been searching for the trio since their disappearance.
The search has been scaled back during the past week.
On Saturday morning three members of the Police National Dive Squad were finally able to join the search. It has been too dangerous for the divers up until now due to rough seas and poor weather.
Senior Constable Jeff McGrath told NZ Newswire the divers would continue to search the area off Paritutu Rock on Saturday afternoon if good conditions held.
Members of the Surf Life Saving club and Department of Conservation staff on board boats are also helping with the search.
"That's the extent of what we're doing today, the coastal search on foot is not occurring today or tomorrow unless there is any new information or any objects of interest get washed up," Snr Const McGrath said.
A number of items, including footwear belonging to one of the missing trio, have been found in the area.
The missing were part of a group comprising 11 Spotswood College students and two instructors from the Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre.
NZN
