KEY POINTS:
A 13m launch with two people on board was tonight reported to be drifting toward the coast about 60km east of Masterton, after catching fire.
The launch had drifted toward the piece of Wairarapa coast known as Honeycomb Rock, after the fire was extinguished about 3.40pm, Inspector Barry Smalley of Wellington police said.
"We are at the scene, and the Westpac helicopter from Wellington is in the area," Mr Smalley said.
But he had been told another vessel was on its way to help the boat and was waiting to find out whether it had taken the two people on board or was towing the launch.
The Classic Yachts Association listed the MV Ussco on its website as a kauri boat with a six-cylinder diesel engine.
- NZPA
