Catamaran search: police scale back hunt

  • 03/01/2017
Alan Langdon and daughter Que (Supplied)
Alan Langdon and daughter Que (Supplied)

Police have scaled back their search for a missing father and daughter who disappeared from the Kawhia Harbour on a catamaran more than two weeks ago.

However, they say they are continuing to make inquiries as to the pair's whereabouts.

It has been 17 days since Alan Langdon and his six-year-old daughter Que were seen leaving the west Waikato harbour.

The man's estranged wife has since hired a child recovery expert to search for the pair.

Waikato police say they are "no longer physically searching" for the catamaran.

However, they say they would not hesitate to redeploy the air force Orion to check on possible sightings.

"We have searched all the areas we can physically search with the resources available. This has included searching the entire west coast from Wellington to Cape Reinga, and down the east coast to the Bay of Islands," Sergeant Vincent Ranger says.

Sgt Ranger says it's possible the pair may be in Australia, although it would be "foolhardy" to attempt to cross the Tasman Sea.

Police are still appealing for any sightings of the boat or Mr Langdon and his daughter.

"We have been searching and making inquiries regarding the most obvious possible scenarios, but without having more information as to where they may have been headed, we're calling on the public to help us if they can," Sgt Ranger says.

"There's nothing to suggest anything near criminal has happened. Our interest and focus is on locating Mr Langdon and his daughter to ensure their safety."

The missing catamaran (Supplied)
The missing catamaran (Supplied)

The catamaran is white with blue anti-fouling paint under the waterline, and the sail ID number is T878.

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