Emergency services are racing to the aid of a person needing medical assistance on board a yacht near the Tauranga harbour entrance.

A team from St. John Ambulance, a fire truck and life guards are at the Pilot Bay boat ramp providing help after a call came in from a yacht.

The yacht circled near the Pilot Bay jetty waiting for emergency services. The life guards have taken ambulance staff out to the boat, quickly returning for more equipment and medical personel.

The water and beach area around the boat ramp has been cleared of other boats.

A local doctor who was running past also stopped to offer assistance.

The life guards returned again, for a stretcher.

Police advise that a person on board the yacht has suffered a medical event.

At the scene? Phone 0800 SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz