UPDATED 12.02PM: Police are re-evaluating their options in order to remove the vehicle owned by John Beckenridge from surf in the Catlins.

Beckenridge and his stepson Mike Zhao-Beckenridge are believed to have died when the vehicle crashed into the water off Curio Bay.

Police divers were looking to enter the water and re-float the car, but weather conditions have put a halt to that.

A police spokesman says, police Dive Team members have entered the water in Curio Bay and have assessed the condition of vehicle and where it is located.

He says, it has been decided that the original airbag option is no longer viable.