Two charged with theft after Tauranga capsize

MISSING: Shaun Hogarth.

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Police looking for a man missing after a boat capsized in Tauranga Harbour last night have charged two men with theft of the boat.

Searchers today failed to find Shaun Hogarth, 23, who was one of four men who went overboard when the aluminium dinghy flipped near Motuhoa Island about 8pm

Earlier today the boat was found upside down by the bottom of the cliffs between Matakana Point and Tahunamanu Point. Police said it appeared winds and currents had pushed the boat towards Matakana Island.

Three of the men who fell out of the boat made it to shore but one of them, Liam Kane, 22, has not been seen since raising the alarm with a member of the public.

This evening police said the two men, aged 22 and 25, charged with the boat theft would appear in Tauranga District Court on Friday.

Search teams were continuing to look for Hogarth, and police were also still trying to locate Kane.

 "When Liam was seen on the shore last night he appeared to be in good health but it is important that we locate him, not only to check on his welfare, but to find out everything he knows about events last night, Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said.

"It could be that he has information about events that would assist those coordinating the search and help bring some answers to Shaun's family who are understandably very distressed."

Hogarth's family said they were all together as a family and were hoping and praying that Hogarth was safe somewhere and would be found soon.

A rescue boat took nine LandSAR volunteers to Matakana Island, Motuhoa Island and Omokoroa Peninsula to search the shoreline this morning.

Members of the Mount Surf Club and Omanu Surf Club were searching the water in four inflatable rigid boats, and all boaties in the area were asked to look out for the man.

- © Fairfax NZ News