A search has resumed this morning after a mayday call from a vessel in Cook Strait last night.
Police said the call was made around 10pm, with a report several people were on board a boat that was in trouble around three nautical miles from Karori Rock.
“Boats from police, Coastguard Wellington, CentrePort, Wellington Airport Fire and Rescue, and the Interislander searched the area until 2.30am, but no debris was found,” police said in a statement.
A Kiwirail spokesperson told 1News the Kaiārahi ferry responded to a mayday call at around 10.20pm last night that a vessel was taking on water.
“Kaiārahi was the first on the scene at 11pm and began searching. The police rescue boat, Lady Elizabeth IV arrived about 10 minutes later and coordinated the continued search effort,” they said.
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“Kaiārahi was dismissed from the search at 1.30am and proceeded into Wellington, arriving at 2.40am.”
“A search and rescue team and police also checked along the shoreline and boat ramps, but nothing of note was located,” police said.
Coastguard said at around 10.45pm, 10 Coastguard Wellington volunteers launched rescue vessels Spirit of Wellington and Reremoana in an urgent search.
“Our crews searched until around 3am. Unfortunately, nothing was located,” they said.
Police said it was “unclear” exactly how many people were on the boat, and urgently wanted to hear from anyone with information directly related to the report.
Anyone with information was urged to contact 111 and use the reference P063602359.
