This story was first published on 8 April at 7.51am and has been updated

The owner has been found of a 15 metre-yacht which ran aground just outside Kiama Harbour near the ocean rockpool, prompting an extensive land, sea and air response.

He had moored the boat near the harbour on Monday night and went ashore in his dinghy but the vessel broke free overnight.

The police have confirmed they have spoken to the skipper and the matter is being managed by Maritime NSW.

A swimmer in the rockpool does laps on Wednesday morning with the striken boat wedged in the rocks nearby. Photo: The Bugle

The boat was first spotted on the rocks in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with Kiama Municipal Council amenity cleaners alerted by a local swimmer around 4am.

“We all raced down there,” one local said.

“We ran to the edge of the rock, yelling out to make sure there was no one on board. We couldn’t see anyone, so we called police and Maritime NSW.”

A Kiama local who lives above the harbour, had noticed the yacht moored in the harbour the previous evening.

“This morning I looked down just after 5.30 and saw it on its side, half-submerged with water on board,” she said.

“I zoomed in on my camera and couldn’t see anyone. I contacted emergency services straight away.”

Local child Darcy O’Brien, before heading off to school, captured remarkable photos of the yacht’s position as waves broke around it.

Photo of the yacht off Black Beach on Monday evening.

His images, shared with The Bugle, show rigging tangled and the bow fully breached by the swell.

“I thought maybe a shark was involved,” our intrepid scout reporter said.

As responders arrived, a search effort expanded. A tender dinghy was found tied up at a nearby wharf. A diver entered the water, banging on the hull to listen for any response. None came.

A Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter conducted an aerial sweep from Kiama Surf Beach to Barrack Point.

Police were able to track down the owner on Tuesday afternoon and have begun investigations surrounding the incident.

Photo of the yacht sinking at 5.30am on Tuesday.

Authorities had earlier confirmed the yacht is registered to a Tasmanian address and had recently been in Jervis Bay.

Pollution booms were deployed around the vessel to contain potential diesel leakage. Officials estimate the yacht may have carried under 500 litres of fuel.

Authorities on Tuesday afternoon said the yacht was stable, wedged in the rocks near the ocean pool, and although there was a hole in the hull, it was unlikely to topple over.

The water behind the boat was reportedly cloudy, and a salvage team from Avcon Water Safety remained on site throughout the day.

Transport for NSW – Maritime Services has been leading the vessel recovery, supported by Kiama Municipal Council.

Fencing was installed to prevent public access while a full recovery plan is prepared.

Photo by Darcy O'Brien

Acting Mayor Melissa Matters said: “The vessel is unstable and dangerous and should be avoided. Please allow first responders the space they need to do their work.”

Questions now turn to who will foot the bill.

Boat owners are responsible for securing their vessels and any damage caused, including environmental harm.

Maritime authorities are empowered to recover costs from the registered owner.

Kiama locals watched the unfolding drama, with dozens gathered along the ocean pool railings throughout the day on Tuesday.

Photos: Darcy O’Brien, The Bugle and local residents