A search has been launched for a missing boat in the Marlborough Sounds.
The 9 metre aluminium boat left Erie Bay on Saturday afternoon with a local man, who's 55, on board.
The harbourmaster and commercial vessels have searched the area and it appears the vessel has left the Sounds, but no one seems to know its intended destination.
An aerial search is beginning.
Police say the behaviour is out of character for the man who is an experienced seaman.
The boat, known as Erie, has a hard top which is painted white and it has a blue stripe along the side.
It has an inboard diesel engine and fuel tanks capable of taking it an extensive distance.
