Mystery of yachtie may never be solved

The mystery of a 75-year-old solo German sailor whose abandoned yacht was found off the Coromandel may never be solved.

The 9.5m yacht Motu left Opua in the Bay of Islands nearly four weeks ago on a voyage to Noumea but was found empty and drifting last week.

Authorities said there was now little if any chance of the missing man being alive or finding out what had happened to him.

Police said they had spoken to the man's relatives in Germany but would not release his name until today.