Search to resume when weather clears

The Wendy J about to cross the Greymouth bar in July this year. Photo: Greymouth Star
The Wendy J about to cross the Greymouth bar in July this year. Photo: Greymouth Star
Another search will be made for the young Greymouth fisherman presumed drowned when the Wendy J sank in rough seas near Jackson Bay 12 days ago.

Kieran Lynch (22) was still unaccounted for when the search was suspended last Thursday. Divers found the body of his fellow crewman Jay Cairney (43) near the wreck at Smoothwater Bay.

Their skipper, Mark Thomas, survived the sinking by clinging on to a lifering. He was found 8km to the south. 

The funeral for Mr Cairney was held in Greymouth yesterday.  

Sergeant Andy Lyes, of Greymouth police, said yesterday the search for Mr Lynch would resume, but it could be a couple of weeks before conditions were safe for the police dive team to return.

"When the weather clears they will be back. They will make another attempt to find Mr Lynch, but at the moment everything is on hold," Mr Lyes said.

The sea where the Wendy J sank was like "pea soup" at the best of times. 

"The divers need a week of fine weather before they can even think about going back. We need the weather to clear before it will be looked at again."

Meanwhile, friends of both victims have set up Givealittle pages. 

Funds are being raised for Mr Cairney's family to help cover costs of the celebration of his life, while another page aims to support Mr Lynch's partner and their seven-week-old daughter. The money will be used to help with a memorial service and to cover the baby's needs.

 - Viv Logie

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