Police have confirmed the death of a man who fell overboard from a New Zealand-registered fishing vessel southeast of the Catlins coast early on Wednesday (14 January) is not being treated as suspicious.

The incident sparked a Search and Rescue callout coordinated by Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre, involving the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter, Police, and other vessels.

Police said yesterday (Thursday 15 January) they were investigating after a man died when he fell overboard from a fishing vessel southeast of the Catlins coast early on Wednesday.

They were notified at around 8.30am.

“Police are now working with Maritime NZ to understand the circumstances of the incident,” a Police spokesperson said today (Friday, 16 Jan).

A spokesperson for the Rescue Coordination Centre says they received the emergency radio call soon after 7.30am (NZ time) that a person had gone overboard from a fishing vessel 40 nautical miles southeast of the Catlins coast.

“Vessels of interest and the Heli Otago (Otago Southland) rescue helicopter were tasked to assist,” she says.

“The person who went overboard was recovered.” The matter was handed over to the Police.

Police were notified that a person had fallen overboard from a fishing vessel just before 8.30am when the rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, a Police spokesperson says.

“Sadly, the person was recovered deceased.”

The deceased remained on the vessel until the vessel was able to dock at Dunedin around 10pm on Wednesday night. (14 January)

The matter is being investigated by Police on behalf of the coroner.

Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.