Police say they are unable to explain what happened to a yacht reported to have been in trouble off the Oamaru coast on Monday night.
Police and North Otago Search and Rescue continued the search yesterday morning for a 5m yacht last sighted about 5.45pm on Monday before it was scaled down pending further information.
Nobody has been reported missing, no boats have been reported overdue, and police have been unable to confirm the identity of the yacht and its location. Police had only one sighting of a yacht in distress and it was last seen upright heading in the direction of Oamaru Harbour, Sergeant Wayne Brew said yesterday.
The initial report police received on Monday was that a yacht had capsized and two people were on the hull rowing towards Oamaru.
That was found to be untrue and the Reservoir Rd resident who saw the yacht, said it was upright the last time he saw it.
Hugh Franklin said the yacht seemed to be having difficulty The wind was blowing and then he lost sight of it, and it looked like it was upside down. Mr Franklin was out of town yes terday and could not be contacted.
There was a search by heli copter on Monday night and a further shore search yesterday morning by helicopter from Cape Wanbrow to the Waitaki River mouth.
The skipper of a fishing boat heading back into the harbour when police were called on Monday went back out to sea but also saw no sign of a yacht Sgt Brew said police were still seeking assistance from members of the public and wanted to hear from anyone who might be able to assist. The call from the informant was made in good faith.
Information had been received that there was a yacht in the harbour about 4.30pm and police had not discounted that was the yacht in question It could have been removed from the water before the search started.
When contacted, Search and Rescue marine adviser John McLellan said he spoke to Mr Franklin twice on Monday night and was hoping to speak to him again today.
He was very clear about what he said he saw, and Mr McLellan believed he was probably correct.
Mr McLellan was determined to find out where the yacht went to. He had hoped he would have heard news by yesterday.
