The owner of an unoccupied dinghy found floating off Gisborne yesterday, sparking a major search operation, is safe and well.
Police said the man and others on board had abandoned the vessel and swum to shore after it started taking on water but they did not notify authorities.
A passing pleasure boat spotted the abandoned boat, which had diving gear and a bag of kina on board, about 1.6 nautical miles out to sea near Tuahine Point yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted and began a search involving other boaties, police and the Coastguard.
Police urged boaties to notify authorities if they abandoned their vessels to avoid expensive and lengthy search operations.
"Several people donated their time and their boats to look for any possible survivors. This was a major operation that cost time and money. It was avoidable and unnecessary," said Sergeant Greg Lexmond.
"The other issue is that any boats left drifting at sea could be a hazard for other marine craft or ships in the area. Boat owners and users should contact emergency services immediately when they abandon any type of vessel at sea."
The boat's owner was a forestry worker and could not be contacted because he was now in the bush.
Police would be speaking with him when he returned home.