Updated at 12:10 pm today
A naval vessel is on its way to the coast of Taranaki to search the area where the missing launch Erie was last seen.
Marlborough man William Kerry Blair, 55, has been missing since he left the Marlborough Sounds in the 9-metre aluminium launch on 8 March.
William Blair's boat.
Photo: NZ POLICE
His boat was spotted about 200 kilometres off the coast of Port Taranaki over the weekend but high seas made an attempt to board the boat impossible.
The HMNZS Wellington is not expected to reach the area before midnight.