A dream trip down the Mexican Riviera has turned into a travel nightmare for two Kiwis aboard a stricken cruise ship.

A father watched helplessly from a boat as his son disappeared under water after briefly surfacing during a diving trip and calling for help.

An RNZAF Orion has been taken off the search for a New Zealander lost overboard in the Pacific Ocean as hopes of his survival fade.

Auckland's participation in a bumper sea-cruising season is off to a lucrative start after visits from three ships on successive days.

Banking giant HSBC will soon be able to sell Ivan Erceg's $6m Henderson boat yard after the High Court approved orders to remove chattels from the property today.