A search and rescue helicopter has located a pair of over-trousers which may belong to a pipeline worker missing off the coast of Christchurch.
The search was mounted after the man and a co-worker failed to return to Lyttelton, after working on a new sewerage system being built for Christchurch City Council.
A helicopter located the body of Jody Dallas Campbell early on Wednesday and rescue teams are searching for the second man and a six-metre inflatable boat called a naiad.
The work on the outfall pipe was being carried out by contractor McConnell Dowell. General manager Roger McRae says the men had gone to help bring a barge back to shore.
Mr McRae says a radar search on Thursday will attempt to locate the inflatable boat.
He says the company's base at Lyttelton is usually in radio contact with its boats at sea, but there is no record that the men called for help while trying to return to shore.
Maritime New Zealand is investigating the incident.
