The coastguard has called off a major search for a mystery yacht that had been reported missing off the coast of Cork.

The search began this morning when a call came into the Valencia Coastguard on the distress channel.

The caller claimed to be part of a three-man crew on a yacht called the 'blue bird'.

They said they'd engine problems and were sinking - and identified their location as one mile South of Roches Point at the entrance to Cork harbour.

However emergency services say there was no sign of the boat at that location.

Two helicopters, three coastguard units, three lifeboats and the navy were all called in to take part in the search.

The effort stretched right across the base of Ireland from Waterford to Galley Head.

It's now been suspended and it's unclear if the distress call was genuine.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.