A navigation buoy that advises mariners of areas of shallow water has gone missing from its position in the Eastern Bay of Plenty

The large navigational marker has gone missing from Eastern Sea Farms aquaculture farm about 9km north of Opotiki, says Eastern Bay of Plenty harbour master Brain Spake.

A cardinal marker like this one is missing.

'It should come ashore with this weather that's expected,” says Brian today.

'I won't be surprised if it does wash up somewhere.”

The buoy, a black and yellow painted eastern cardinal mark, is likely to be dragging 40 metres of 12mm chain, says Brain.

'We think it's worn away with the rise and fall against the sea floor – Ii wouldn't detach itself, unless it's been removed by an errant trawler.”

The east cardinal mark is painted black with a single yellow band and a top mark consisting of two black cones positioned base to base.

It also has a solar powered white light with a quick-flashing light at a rate of three flashes every five seconds.

Sightings should be reported to the harbourmaster by telephone on 07 308 8570 or via Coastguard Radio on VHF channel 80.