Search efforts are underway for a Coast Guard officer who disappeared after a boat sank yesterday during a multi-national exercise.

During this time, the Coast Guard intercepted a vessel of interest and removed three foreign nationals.

During the transfer, two coast guard officers remained on the vessel which experienced difficulties and sank due to rough sea conditions.

One of the officers was thrown into the water, while the other became trapped inside the sinking vessel.

The Coast Guard says further details will be provided in due course.