Police are no longer seeking a vessel that was the subject of a search in the sea area between Maraetai and Waiheke yesterday, after being advised that a vessel matching the description had returned to shore. Yesterday Maritime Police led a search for a vessel believed to have sent a mayday call at 12.58pm. Police, with the assistance of Westpac helicopter and four Coastguard vessels, searched an extensive area for more than four hours without locating any vessel in distress. Today Maritime Police were made aware that the vessel they believed was the subject of the search had returned to shore yesterday afternoon. Maritime Police would like to remind boaties to carry lifejackets at all times, have two forms of communication and that an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is one of the best forms of communication in an emergency. Modern EPIRBs and PLBs (personal locator beacons) transmit the persons position to emergency services.

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