Sailor believed drowned

BY RACHEL YOUNG AND CHERIE HOWIE

Friends of missing Picton man Christopher Derek John Purdy believe he was overcome by bad weather as he rowed back to his boat in Picton Harbour last week.

The friends spent several hours searching the harbour for his body earlier this week before the police national dive squad took over yesterday. The six divers ended their search at 7.30pm yesterday and resumed today at 7.45am.

Mr Purdy, a 56-year-old father of two, was reported missing to police on Tuesday.

When friend Troy Smith heard that "Creeper" was missing, he spent five hours diving in the harbour, trying to find his body.

He found a lone gumboot.

"This whole thing is unfortunate and we can look to blame a whole lot of things, but in the end, we have a body out there."

Friends also scoured the foreshore but were unable to find any sign of Mr Purdy.

Mr Smith said there were more spots he would like to search but as the police dive squad was now in charge, he had to step back.

Yesterday, police divers entered the water about 1pm and began searching a 500-square-metre area at depths of up to 6m around Mr Purdy's boat, which was moored less than 100m from shore.

Mr Purdy lived on the Valerie Marie in Picton Harbour and was well known in the community.

The builder and carpenter by trade moved to Picton about eight years ago from the Wairarapa.

Detective Kris Payne of Picton said Mr Purdy was last seen on Wednesday, October 28 at Oxley's Tavern, then at the Irish Bar about midnight.

It is understood that Mr Purdy decided to row to a vessel in Picton Harbour. He has not been seen since.

About 1am, the Coastguard launched a search after an inter-island ferry captain reported seeing a dinghy floating upside down in the harbour. It was found at Kaipupu Point.

Friends believe that Mother Nature beat Mr Purdy that night as he tried to make his way back to the Valerie Marie.

Mr Payne could not say if the water search would continue tomorrow if Mr Purdy was not found today, but added that the search was not focused just on the harbour.

"We've got to keep looking at all the options. That's why we urge the public to contact us if they have any information about Mr Purdy," Mr Payne said.

"Certainly we are hoping we can find Mr Purdy, one way or another."

Mr Purdy's friends gathered yesterday at a Picton cafe to drink rum and beer, his favourite tipple, and share stories.

Geoff Marsland flew over from Wellington as soon as he heard that Mr Purdy was missing.

Mr Marsland, who has been friends with Mr Purdy for more than 20 years, said his companion was an awesome man with a great heart.

"A good man has been lost."

Mr Purdy had spent the past three Christmases with the Marslands, who considered him family.

Mr Marsland was dreading telling his three young sons that their "grandfather" was presumed dead.

Fellow Wellingtonian Tim Rose said the keen sailor was a very talented, intelligent carpenter who had done quite a bit of work for him.

"He was a bad bastard without a bad bone in his body."

The friends said they would stay in Picton until a body was found.

Friend and fellow boatie Mike Rosson said Mr Purdy would go out of his way to do anything for anybody.

"He would help someone before he would do them a bad turn."

Mr Purdy was well known for his keen eye when it came to designing and building, he said.

Mr Rosson said Mr Purdy had helped many people in the Marlborough Sounds and Picton with different building and carpentry projects.

He said Mr Purdy was a "great friend" to many.

It is understood that Mr Purdy's daughter, son and sister arrived in Picton last night.

The Marlborough Express understands that Mr Purdy was trespassed from Port Marlborough after not paying mooring fees, so he moored the Valerie Marie in the harbour.

Some of his friends said they believed that if he had been allowed to moor his boat closer to shore, Mr Purdy would now be safe.

There are reports that his car was found at Waikawa, untouched.

If anyone has any information about Mr Purdy's whereabouts, please contact Picton police on 035203120.

EMPTY DINGHY SPARKED SEARCH

Wednesday, October 28: Christopher Purdy is seen at Oxley's Tavern, then the Irish Bar around midnight.

Thursday, October 29: About 1am the Coastguard is alerted to an empty dinghy in Picton Harbour. It is found at Kaipupu Point and the area is searched. Police seek owner of the missing dinghy.

Friday, October 30: A woman who thinks she may own the dinghy views it in police presence, but it is not hers.

Tuesday, November 3, mid-morning: Mr Purdy is reported missing. Police inquiries begin.

Wednesday, November 4: Police divers are called and start searching about 1pm.

Thursday, November 5: Police divers resume search at 7.45am.

- The Marlborough Express