UPDATED: Register emergency beacons

Rescue officials have called for emergency locator beacons to be registered after one on a jetski accidentally activated and sparked an extensive search.

The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter was called out twice over a 24-hour period to help find the stricken vessel, which also included searches by coastguard and a second Auckland-based rescue helicopter.

Northland helicopter pilot Gary Birchfield said the Whangarei team were first contacted on Wednesday just before midnight by the National Rescue Coordination Centre after an emergency beacon was activated.

The crew flew south and searched the coastline near Warkworth but abandoned the search after one and a half hours.

They were called again to help about 11.40pm on Thursday.

Mr Birchfield said the crew landed and thanks to the perseverance of the crew they tracked the beacon to Buckleton Beach, near Warkworth by door knocking residents to see who owned a vessel with a beacon.

The beacon turned out be on a jet ski and was activated inadvertently when it was being used in rough waves.

The seal on the device was intact and the jetski owner told the rescuers he thought the beeping noise was indicating a low battery rather than emitting an emergency signal.

Maritime New Zealand Search and Rescue officer Tracy Brickles said the incident highlighted how important it was to register beacons.

"If there had been a casualty, time would have been of the essence and time wasted could cost lives," she said.

Registering beacons is free, quick and easy to do and it could save a life.

Ms Brickles said registration was a legal requirement.

It allowed officials to contact beacon owners and check wether they were in trouble or wether it was an accidental activation.

"Please get on line today and register your beacon or if you're already registered make sure your details are kept up to date," Ms Brickles said.