An air and water search has been launched on the northern tip of Vancouver Island for a missing tugboat that was reported overdue on Sunday.

Officials with the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria said the 1926-vintage tug Gabriola was last seen May 17 when the lone operator set out from Port McNeill to a logging camp in Kyuquot Sound on the west coast of the Island.

Boaters who may have seen the 12-metre Gabriola are being asked to contact the Rescue Co-ordination Centre. The name of the operator has not been released.