Search and Rescue teams are scouring the shoreline of Mayor Island as they conduct a training exercise.

A caller to the 0800 SunLive news hotline says he heard on the marine radio that rescue teams were searching for someone in the water on Saturday, but called off the operation because it got too dark.

Search and Rescue teams are conducting a training exercise on and around Mayor Island.

Coastguard confirmed this morning that the search is just a training exercise and not a real event.

Western Bay of Plenty Search and Rescue Area coordinator, Sergeant Craig Madden says the Western Bay of Plenty Search and Rescue organisations are holding a search and rescue exercise, which is termed as a SAR X, this weekend.

'It kicked off on Friday evening, it is based out at Tahua (Mayor) Island, and it involves a number of organisations from both marine and land search groups.

'The exercise went through to yesterday evening and was recommenced again this morning.”