Boaties are being reminded to keep in touch with Coastguard when they're out on the water today

Coastguard has had a busy Labour Weekend -- with 55 incidents in the North Island, compared to 37 last Labour Weekend and 40 in 2018.

Most of the call-outs have been either tows or mechanical issues.

But Coastguard spokeswoman Julia James says there was an incident on the Kaipara Harbour, where they found a six metre boat full of fishing gear and personal items, with no one on board..

She says that sparked a three hour search from the Coastguard and two members of the public -- until they discovered the missing person had jumped onto their friend's boat.