Search on for missing boatie

A member of the public spotted the 2.4m vessel on the Oreti River. Photo / File

A search operation is underway after a submerged dinghy was found in an Invercargill river and its 66-year-old owner was missing.

A member of the public spotted the 2.4m vessel on the Oreti River just before 1pm, Senior Sergeant Dave Scott said.

A search and rescue operation had been launched, involving a helicopter, members of the Coast Guard, local fishermen and the Police Search and Rescue Squad - with the area actively being searched from the air, water and land, he said.