WELLINGTON, New Zealand (18 May 2008)) — Police say a diver who went missing off the Kapiti Coast today has been found alive. A Wellington Police Communications spokesman originally said the diver was due back at 1.15pm and a search involving a helicopter and boats had been launched to find him. He was found late this afernoon. A search involving a helicopter, a fixed-wing plane, the Kapiti coastguard and a police marine search and rescue team was launched this afternoon when the man failed to return by his due time of 1.15pm. Police said although the man was found safe and well over two hours later, the incident might not finish there. Sergeant Aaron Alderton of Wellington Police Communications said the man had sparked previous searches. "Last time he caused us to do a full alert to try and rescue him a whole lot of problems were identified. He dives on his own, he has poor equipment, he doesn't follow the safety regulations and so on." Problems had been identified with the man's boat on the previous occasion but he had neglected to have them fixed. The searches cost thousands of dollars, and Mr Alderton said it was possible the man could face charges. "We think he's a fool." The 49-year-old had been diving off Browns Island, about 7km west off-shore from Paraparaumu Beach. When he failed to surface three people on board the dive boat raised the alarm. | 
