A search operation has been launched off the Bay of Plenty coast after an unmanned yacht was discovered this morning.
Police say the 38 foot, single-masted yacht was located by a member of the public approximately 11 nautical miles east of Mayor Island.
Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair says an immediate search of the yacht found there was no-one on board. He says the motor was running and the yacht's anchor was dragging in the water.
"Police and the Rescue Co-ordination Centre were notified and an aerial and water search is underway."
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre has undertaken an aerial search today that has covered a 900 square kilometre area between Motiti and Mayor Islands.
A sea search is also underway, involving Coastguard and a vessel that has been working on the Rena operation.
Inspector Wright-St Clair says Police believe the yacht, with one person on board, left Tauranga for Paihia on Sunday February 12.
"We would urgently like to hear from anyone who may have seen the yacht since Sunday,” he says.
3 News