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An aerial search and repeated radio calls have failed to find the New Zealand-bound ship Alvei - but friends of the captain remain hopeful the vessel has simply been delayed by unfavourable winds.
The 28 metre steel-hulled schooner - now officially overdue - left Port Vila, Vanuatu, on November 13 with three Americans, four Australians, an Englishman and a 66-year-old New Zealander on board.
It was due in the Bay of Islands on Saturday to begin a five-week trip down the East Coast, but has not been sighted by other boats or heard from, despite being fully equipped with a VHF and HR radio and a distress beacon.
The relative of an Australian crew member contacted the Rescue Co-ordination Centre about the ship after he failed to return home to take up a new job.
The centre tried reaching Alvei by radio, but yesterday stepped up its investigation into the ship's whereabouts as concern for the crew's safety grew.
RCCNZ Search and Rescue mission controller Mike Roberts said authorities in both Australia and New Caledonian were helping.
A plane was sent yesterday to search - visually and by radar - a possible route for the ship between Opua and Norfolk Island.
The centre would assess its course of action after the plane returned to Norfolk last night.
