Dead whale in Tauranga Harbour

UPDATED. 4.37PM

What emergency services first believed was a capsized yacht turned out to be a dead whale.

The dead juvenile sperm whale was first sighted this weekend near Mayor Island.

Papamoa lifeguards have confirmed that the dead whale is slowly moving towards the shore.

EARLIER:

Emergency services are responding to a capsized yacht about 500m off shore from Papamoa beach.

Papamoa lifeguards have an IRB in the water to assist with the water rescue.

The 111 call came in just after 4pm.

The Bay of Plenty Times has a reporter at the scene.

More details to follow.