Mayday call 'may have been hoax'

Police are investigating the possibility a distress call from a vessel southeast of Whangarei early today was a hoax.

A man on board a vessel called the East Coaster made a mayday call about 1.30am saying they were taking on water near the Hen and Chickens Islands, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) search and rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said.

Several aircraft, the navy warship Pukaki, and a Coastguard vessel were involved in a major search and rescue operation in deteriorating weather conditions, he said.

"The search vessels and aircraft involved have also carried out an extensive search, so if there was any trace of the vessel, wreckage, or anyone in the water, then we are extremely confident they would have been found by now."

Maritime New Zealand's director formally suspended the search for the East Coaster about 2pm.

Police said investigations continued, including the possibility the call was a hoax.

This afternoon police released audio of the distress call in the hope someone could identify the boat's occupants.

The man, who made the call to Whangarei Coastguard, said the East Coaster, which he described as blue and white, was in trouble and had four people on board.

He said the boat was having problems with its fuel and electrics, then said it was taking on water.

He did not give any detail about the size of the boat, the owner, its exact location or any safety equipment it was carrying.

Police said all inquiries from concerned people had been investigated and accounted for.

There was no local knowledge of the missing boat.

Police and RCCNZ want to hear from anyone with information about the boat or its owners.

- NZPA