Specialist police and Navy divers are preparing to recover a body seen in a fishing boat which sank off the Canterbury coast last week.
A navy diver gives the 'thumbs up' prior to diving from HMNZS Manawanui during a training session in Akaroa Harbour on 26 October 2015. Photo: NZDF / Rod Mackenzie
A distress signal was sent from the FV Jubilee last Sunday morning, when the boat was 20 kilometres from the mouth of the Rakaia River.
The three crew said they were heading for the life raft, but the raft was discovered with nobody on board.
A team of 24 police and navy divers have completed build-up dives and will now focus on recovering the body which was seen in the wreck two days ago.
Sergeant Phil Simmonds said build-up dives had to be conducted as the boat is about 40 metres below the surface.
Members from the navy dive team monitor divers in the water from the 'Dive Shack' on board HMNZS Manawanui during training in Akaroa Harbour. Photo: NZDF / Rod Mackenzie
Navy diver Luke Gordon climbs back on board HMNZS Manawanui during preparation for the operation at the site of sunken fishing vessel Jubilee. Photo: NZDF / Rod Mackenzie
Navy diver Luke Gordon climbs back on board HMNZS Manawanui during preparation for the search and recovery operation. Photo: NZDF / Rod Mackenzie