Ghost yacht mystery: Search cancelled

Richard Rusbatch left Tauranga on Sunday, but he was nowhere to be seen when his yacht Honfleur was found at sea. Photo / Supplied

The search for missing yachtie Richard Rusbatch has been called off after an extensive operation failed to find him.

Mr Rusbatch's unmanned yacht Honfleur was found with the engine still running doing circles in the Bay of Plenty north of Tauranga on Tuesday.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said the search was suspended this morning after an extensive aerial, land and water search failed to find any sign of him.

"Sadly, despite an exhaustive land, sea and air search over the last two days, there has been no sign of Mr Rusbatch,'' said RCCNZ mission coordinator Dave Wilson.

"Given the length of time that has passed since he went missing, unfortunately it has now gone beyond the point where he could reasonably still be expected to be found alive.

"Therefore, after carefully reviewing the search effort, in the absence of any new information, and in discussions with police and the family, the difficult decision has been made to formally suspend the search. Our deepest sympathies go out to Mr Rusbatch's family for their loss.''

It had been hoped Mr Rusbatch's strong swimming ability would have got him to Mayor Island, some 20km from where his yacht was found, but land search teams scouring the island found no trace yesterday.

Mr Rusbatch, 56, set sail on Sunday, bound for the Bay of Islands.

His sister Jane Willing said on Tuesday the family were hoping Mr Rusbatch, who has several daughters, had made it to land.

"He's a very strong swimmer and he's used to being at sea. So, I've just got my fingers crossed, with his daughters, that he's swum somewhere - to one of the islands. That's what we're hoping for,'' she said.

Mr Rusbatch runs charter trips between Russell and Tauranga. Mrs Willing said he had been running his charter business for "many years''.

Mr Wilson said the search could be resumed if any new information came to light.