NSW Marine Rescue’s Port Kembla boat has conducted sweeps of the water around the entrance to Port Kembla harbour and north towards the southern end of Wollongong City beach.

Blue and red flashing lights could be seen on the water prior to the search ending at 11.20pm. 

A NSW Police spokeswoman said no further information relating to the incident had been received by authorities as of 11.30pm.

No one has been reported missing, no one has reported a boat as missing and no unattended cars have been found nearby, she said.

Police are investigating whether the boat wasn’t secured properly and has drifted.

Earlier, the NSW Ambulance helicopter, Rescue 23, scoured the length of coast from Flagstaff Hill to Port Kembla harbour a number of times. It also flew out to Bass Islet, one of the Five Islands, and back.

The helicopter returned to its Albion Park base about 10.40pm, having been above the search area for about an hour.

The spokeswoman said the search had been suspended, pending any new information.

10.00pm: A NSW Ambulance rescue helicopter is scouring the ocean off Wollongong after a boat was found without anyone in it on Sunday night. 

A NSW Police spokeswoman said police responded to a report a boat was located in the water at the southern end of Coniston beach, near the breakwall, about 8.20pm.

Fishing gear was found in the boat but there was no one on board, the spokeswoman said.

The ambulance helicopter was called in to assist. It has been seen flying low up and down the section of coast between Flagstaff Hill and the entrance to Port Kembla harbour.

The helicopter was still in the sky at 10pm.

The spokeswoman said there were no contact numbers associated with the boat and no one had been reported missing.

It was also unclear whether the boat had been occupied or whether it wasn’t secured properly and has drifted, she said.

Marine Rescue has been notified. Polair is also involved.