Life jacket 'could have saved fisherman's life'

Surf lifesavers say a fisherman swept off rocks at the end of west Auckland's Piha Beach would have survived had he been wearing a life jacket.

The 35-year-old man, believed to be of Filipino origin, was swept off the Dawsons Ledge rocks while fishing about 5.40pm yesterday

The search for him resumed at dawn today but was stopped about 10am due to adverse weather and wave conditions.

"Due to poor visibility and 3m swells the search was called off, and we won't head back unless conditions are right and we have further information," Piha patrol captain Billy Doyle said.

He said the man was presumed to have drowned.

Mr Doyle said the man was only seen above the surface for 30 to 45 seconds before he submerged.

"That suggests he was a non-swimmer," Mr Doyle said.

"But we're sure that if he was wearing a flotation device of some sort, this tragedy would have been avoided.

"Nobody should be out on those rocks in those conditions but if you are, your survival if you get swept away could depend on your ability to swim or float."

- NZPA