Maritime NZ plans to meet the skipper of a boat which made a distress call last night, sparking a major search and rescue operation.
The yacht was located 7km south of Whangārei. (file pic) Photo: 123RF
The yacht Tribe made a distress call to Maritime NZ about 6.30pm yesterday, showing the vessel's location near Waiheke.
After an initial search of the area failed to locate the yacht, search and rescue agencies believed it may have provided an incorrect location and diverted their attention to the east of the Coromandel.
It was believed two people were on board, and there were serious fears for their safety.
Today three aircraft and a navy frigate were searching the waters east of Coromandel.
But Maritime NZ confirmed this afternoon the yacht had been found and both people on board were safe.
It was located this afternoon in Bream Bay about 4 nautical miles (7km) south of Whangārei - about 80 nautical miles (150km) north of where it made its Mayday call.
Maritime NZ said in a statement a staff member expected to meet Tribe's skipper tomorrow "to discuss what happened and what lessons can be learned from the incident".
Rescue Coordination Centre NZ Senior Search and Rescue Officer Chris Henshaw said irrespective of the circumstances of this incident, anyone on the water who believed their life was in danger should not hesitate to make a Mayday call or activate a distress beacon as delay can be fatal.
"If you make a Mayday call and the situation changes for the better, then make the radio call to cancel the Mayday," Henshaw said. "You will be thanked for the cancellation - no one will be critical or angry.
"If you activated a beacon and are no longer in danger, then make sure you leave the beacon on until you are contacted by rescuers. If you turn it off, we have the position you were at but no way of knowing if you have moved or what has happened."
He advised anyone going boating to take two water-proof ways to call for help, and said a VHF radio and distress beacon were best. When close to shore a cellphone in a waterproof bag was another way to call for help.