Submerged yacht found in the Far North

Cape Reinga. File photo / NZ Herald

A submerged yacht has been found in a remote bay in the Far North but police say they do not know if anyone was on board when it sank.

The 7.6 metre trailer sailer was found on Wednesday morning, off the rocks near Tapotupotu Bay, east of Cape Reinga.

The area was an isolated and rugged part of the coast.

The mast of the yacht was seen protruding from the water on Wednesday.

"We don't know how long it has been in the water," said Sergeant Alison Holdaway from the Kaitaia police.

She said police were still trying to establish if anyone had been on the yacht and what it was doing before it sank.

The owners were in New Zealand and police were still trying to contact them. Until then the name of the yacht would not be released, she said.

"It is still submerged. I believe the rocks have secured it.

"Search and rescue are at the scene."

She said there was no sign of any bodies on the yacht, in the water or on the nearby beaches.

- NZPA