The skipper of the fishing charter which sank off Northland's coast is said to be in complete shock over the incident, which has so far claimed four lives.
Search and rescue teams are still scouring the coast near Cape Reinga for one person who is still missing.
But with police divers now combing through the ship's wreckage, hopes of finding them alive are fading.
Nita Blake-Persen reports from the Far North.