Stolen yacht used as floating HQ in marine crimewave

Police can't find an owner for the 12m Cavalier, renamed Ana but previously known as Morning Light.

Police are searching for the owner of a stolen yacht that became a floating warehouse for stolen property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Investigators say the 12m Cavalier was used in thefts from baches and more than a dozen moored boats around the Bay of Islands, Kerikeri and Whangarei.

A treasure trove of loot was found on board, including dive gear, fish finders, TVs, stereos and binoculars.

Most of the burglaries occurred at night, and scratch marks on the hull of one craft suggest the yacht was taken alongside to load stolen goods.

In one incident, a brass filter from a ketch was removed in an attempt to sink it after property worth $5000 was stolen.

A man has been arrested, but police cannot find the owner of the yacht.

"We have strong reason to believe it was stolen, but have had no joy locating a complainant," Detective Aaron Crawford of Whangarei said.

The yacht had been renamed Ana, but was registered as Morning Light.

"As well as it being renamed, the distinctive sail number on the main sail - 2249 - has been interfered with and the numbers 22 have been removed from the headsail, which is suspicious."

He said police knew the yacht had been "down Auckland way" and "someone there must know about it".

The yacht was found last month after police were called to Marsden Cove Marina, following reports of gunfire.

The alleged gunman was later arrested on board the vessel, and the stolen property found after a search warrant was executed.

The 40-year-old Whangarei man faces seven counts of burglary, and several more are likely.

He has also been charged with theft, intentional damage and firearm offences.

Once news of the arrest spread, bach owners and boaties from around Northland started reporting burglaries.

Several victims said they saw the Ana moored near them the night before they were burgled. Next morning, it had gone.

The man is in custody and will return to Whangarei District Court this month.