UPDATED: The 22-foot yacht Luna reported missing on the East Coast has been located this afternoon near Cape runaway in the Bay of Plenty.

The Rescue Coordination Centre earlier asked the public for information on the yacht and its sole occupant, which was last seen in Anaura Bay on the East Coast on Monday afternoon.

Missing yacht Luna may be in the Bay of Plenty.

Weather in the area deteriorated since then with 30 knot winds, rain and low cloud. Luna sailed from Napier on Friday morning headed to Auckland.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says a helicopter found Luna at about 2:40pm 16km south of Cape Runaway.

There is still no communication with the yacht but the helicopter made close passes and the yacht appears undamaged and the skipper unharmed, says rescue mission co-ordinator Mike Roberts.

"Thankfully, the worst weather is now behind Luna and she should be in comfortable sailing conditions,” says Mike.

'We are glad for the outcome and we will always do what we can when a vessel is missing or in danger but this has been a frustrating endeavour.

'The skipper is inexperienced, left a vague trip plan, and seems to have had no working communications equipment since Friday last week. Even when two search aircraft located him he was unable to communicate his intentions or report on his condition.

'We want boaties to always leave a detailed trip plan with family, a friend or a boating organisation, and to take at least two forms of communications that will work when wet. A registered distress beacon is also highly recommended for all boats.

'If we don't know where you are going and you cannot call, then you cannot be rescued if you get into trouble.”

The skipper, a 20-year-old with, as far as is known, limited sailing experience - told a friend he would call every 24 hours and made a cellphone call at 10.30pm on Friday. But he was not heard from again.

A search by a fixed-wing aircraft found Luna anchored in Anaura Bay on Monday.

The skipper waved to the aircraft and appeared unharmed but made no other contact with the aircraft or anyone else since.

It's believed the yacht has a VHF radio onboard and the skipper had a cellphone. There is no record of a Distress Beacon being on board.

Earlier:

A 22-foot yacht named Luna is missing on the East Coast and the Rescue Coordination Centre is asking the public for information.

Luna was last seen at Anaura Bay about 30km south of East Cape at 4.15pm on Monday. Weather in the area is deteriorating, with 30 knot winds, rain and low cloud expected later today.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Mike Roberts is asking people who might have seen the yacht or have any information about where she might be to call the RCCNZ on 0508 472 269.

The Maritime Radio Service is broadcasting to all vessels in the area asking for sightings of the yacht and a Royal New Zealand Navy helicopter has been dispatched from Ohakea.

There is one person onboard, a 20-year-old with, as far as is known, limited sailing experience.

Luna sailed from Napier on Friday morning headed to Auckland.

Her skipper told a friend he would call every 24 hours and made a cellphone call at 10.30pm on Friday. However, he was not heard from again.

A search by a fixed-wing aircraft found Luna anchored in Anaura Bay on Monday. The skipper waved to the aircraft and appeared unharmed but made no other contact with the aircraft or anyone else since.

It's believed the yacht has a VHF radio onboard and the skipper had a cellphone. There is no record of a Distress Beacon being on board.

'Our concern is this appears to be an inexperienced sailor heading into weather dangerous for a small boat and no one has heard from him,” says Mike.

Maritime New Zealand Media Line: +64 4 499 7318