US images aid sea search

The US Coastguard, Nasa and Google Earth are helping the search for a South African yachtie missing off the east coast of the North Island.

Paul van Rensburg, 40, left Tauranga for Gisborne 12 days ago on his 11m steel-hulled yacht Tafadzwa. Last week, search and rescue authorities spent three days in the air and on the water searching for him.

Though the official search has been suspended, his friends have vowed to continue looking.