Ian THOMPSON & Erwin CLAUS
Ian THOMPSON & Erwin CLAUSUpdated
Crews camped overnight on a Tongan island before resuming the search for two Australian yachtsmen missing for almost a week.
South Australian Ian Thompson and his Victorian friend Erwin Claus were sailing from the Caribbean when their yacht struck rocks last Thursday.
Debris from the yacht has been found near Late Island, but there is no sign of the men.
Maritime New Zealand spokesman Steve Rendle says nine searchers have camped on the island and conditions are tough.
"In terms of terrain it's pretty difficult, the shoreline is largely cliffs, there is a bush-clad area on the sea-level and that rises to a height of about 520 metres," he said.
"It's the cone of a volcano essentially and that area is pretty bare at that height."
Mr Claus's partner Sue Love said earlier this week that she had not given up hope after receiving a distress call from the men as their boat broke up.
"They have not been amongst the debris of the shattered yacht so I can only assume that they have made their way onto the island," she said.
"They've had about five or six hours in the water in the dark, waited for daylight and then tried to make a decision about what they do next."