Have you seen the missing yacht Luna?

22 September 2016: 11:00am

The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) is asking the public for information about an overdue 22-foot yacht, Luna.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts said Luna was last seen at Anaura Bay at 4:15pm on Monday. Weather in the area is deteriorating, with 30 knot winds, rain and low cloud expected later today.

Mr Roberts asked people who might have seen the yacht or have any information about where she might be to call the RCCNZ on 0508 472 269.

The Maritime Radio Service is broadcasting to all vessels in the area asking for sightings of the yacht and a Royal New Zealand Navy helicopter has been dispatched from Ohakea.

There is one person onboard, a 20-year-old with, as far as is known, limited sailing experience.

Luna sailed from Napier on Friday morning headed to Auckland. Her skipper had told a friend he would call every 24 hours and made a cellphone call at 10.30pm on Friday. However, he was not heard from again.

A search by a fixed-wing aircraft found Luna anchored in Anaura Bay on Monday. The skipper waved to the aircraft and appeared unharmed but made no other contact with the aircraft or anyone else since.

It is believed the yacht has a VHF radio onboard and the skipper had a cellphone. There is no record of a Distress Beacon being on board.

“Our concern is this appears to be an inexperienced sailor heading into weather dangerous for a small boat and no one has heard from him,” Mr Roberts said.

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