Easy Rider search scaled back

A limited search will take place today for the four people who remain missing after the Easy Rider sank in Foveaux Strait.

An aerial search will take place along the southern coast between Waipapa Point and Riverton this afternoon, and a vessel will search the estauary area at the sourthern tip of Oreti Beach.

Police have also conducted a search of Oreti Beach using a four wheel drive vehicle this morning.

Southland police met at 9.30am this morning to review the search for those still missing after the sinking of the Easy Rider.

The fishing boat with nine people on board went down off the northern coast of Stewart Island in the early hours of Thursday morning.

One survivor has been found, along with four bodies.

Southland Area Commander Inspector Lane Todd says the search was suspended yesterday after a 52 hour hunt involving 27 vessels, a number of aircraft and multiple different search teams.

He says the search operation team is still dedicated to doing the best possible job for the families of those missing.

The search team will continue to evaluate tidal patterns and debris, to identify whether more searching needs to take place.

Photo: NZ Herald