Eight feared dead as fishing boat sinks in New Zealand It took some 14 hours before authorities knew the boat was missing. The boat was supposed to meet with a helicopter Thursday afternoon, and when it didn't show up, the helicopter pilot was the first person to raise the alarm. New Zealand media report that the boat was taking an extended family to a remote island so they could hunt for mutton birds, which are considered a local delicacy, and that two children are among those who are missing. Just two months ago, the captain of the Easy Rider, Rewai Karetai, was hailed as a hero when he helped rescue three people from another fishing boat which capsized in the area. Two people died in that accident. Karetai is reported as among those missing in the latest incident.