A New Zealander is believed among the crew of 21 on a luxury superyacht that has reportedly exploded and sunk off the New Jersey coast.
However, the US Coastguard said it was treating the report as a possible hoax.
The 50m US$40 million yacht Blind Date was 27km from Sandy Hook when it exploded, injuring at least seven people, BBC reported.
New Zealand Matthew Edwards was named as being among the 21-strong crew forced into life rafts.
But Coastguard Lieutenant Joe Klinker told the Associated Press no signs of distress had been found, which was "highly unusual".
