Crews involved in the search for a missing fisherman who fell overboard from a commercial fishing vessel late last night remain committed to getting him "home to his loved ones". 

It is understood the man fell overboard the 'Pacific Challenger' - a Japanese-built 29-metre steel hull trawler - about 11km offshore of Waimārama at 8.43pm. 

Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre is coordinating the search and rescue action to locate the fisherman. 

In an update this afternoon, it said the search is ongoing. 

"RCCNZ tasked Rescue Helicopters from Hastings, Gisborne, Auckland and Wellington to conduct searches over water in search of the person. NZDF assisted by sending two NH90 Helicopters to assist in the search for the crew member. Three fishing vessels also responded to distress broadcasts and assisted.

"Coastguard Hawkes Bay provided a vessel to assist and deployed a marker buoy to verify drift conditions in the water for search planning purposes. RCCNZ has completed extensive drift modelling analysis and is continuing to assess conditions. The search is ongoing." 

Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust CEO Andrew Quayle said their crew has searched through the night and have continued to search during the day. 

"All crews remain committed to getting this individual home to his loved ones." 

He thanked the Rapid Relief Team NZ who has mobilised and have been onsite making sure the crews are fuelled up and fed.

Coastguard Hawke's Bay Skipper Henry van Tuel said: "Our thoughts are with whānau, friends and crewmates of the missing person, and disappointed we could not find him so we could return him to his whānau". 

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