A wayward yachtie believed to be ill equipped and inexperienced has been ordered into port at Whakatane.

Darius DeWett has to stay in port until he can satisfy maritime authorities that the boat has sufficient safety gear on board, and that the yachtie himself can sail the boat.

Darius DeWet. Photo: Facebook.

Whakatane volunteer coastguard members took the owner and sole occupant Darius DeWett off the boat last night leaving it anchored in the lee of Whale Island.

They took him back out there this morning and brought the yacht into port at Whakatane, says Maritime NZ spokesman Steve Rendle.

'Conditions have been imposed on the vessel to stop it leaving under section 55 of the Maritime Transport Act,” says Steve.

'On the grounds that the operation of this ship may endanger or is likely to endanger any personal property.”

The conditions remain in place until the master (Darius) allows Maritme NZ to inspect the yacht and a maritime officer is satisfied there is sufficient safety equipment is on board and that the vessel is in a condition suitable to undertake a coastal voyage and that the master has suitable training and experience to leave that port.

The rescue co-ordination centre became involved when Dariius failed to make the daily radio contact he arranged before he departed Napier.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre launched two aerial searches for Luna and its sole occupant last week, finding Luna in Anaura Bay on September 19, and near Cape Runaway on September 22.

Whakatane Coastguard president Jim Williamson says today the boat does have a VHF radio but it was not working.

'He had battery problems, and you can't get stuff fixed around the coast because there isn't no place to fix it. He's done brilliantly. He's done everything right. He hasn't done anything wrong.”

Commenting on claims Darius has little sailing experience, Jim pointed out that Darius successfully sailed from Napier to Whakatane round East Cape in rough weather.

'He's got plenty of experience now,” says Jim.

'More experience than 80 per cent of the Auckland yachties now.”