Cypriot authorities said they have launched a national search and rescue operation after the disappearance of a yacht that sailed from Israel a week ago off the Mediterranean Sea.

The Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) said it activated its forces yesterday to locate the yacht, which sailed on December 2 with four Israelis from the town of Ashdod and headed for Crete.

The yacht’s last known position was recorded on December 8, within the Cyprus Search and Rescue (SAR) area, some 89 nautical miles (165 kilometers) from the coastal town of Paphos, according to a JRCC statement.

“Ships in the area have been called in to assist in locating the missing sailing vessel,” the statement said, adding that government air assets will join the operation today.

Cyprus has one of the largest search and rescue areas in the eastern Mediterranean and often coordinates operations involving neighbouring states. Authorities said additional resources may be deployed depending on weather conditions and updated information.

The yacht’s disappearance coincides with the arrival of bad weather Byron, which has caused heavy rainfall and strong winds in Cyprus, Israel and the wider region.

Earlier, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Israel, Greece and Cyprus are cooperating in the search for the Israeli yacht.