Ferry carrying 50 people missing near Kiribati for more than a week

A ferry with about 50 people on board has been missing near Kiribati for more than a week.

Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) is helping provide drift predictions as the search continues. Source: Maritime New Zealand

A ferry with an estimated 50 people aboard has been missing for more than a week off the coast of the Pacific nation of Kiribati.

New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre said on Saturday it has sent a military Orion plane to assist in the search of an area of ocean approximately the size of Britain.

The search is being led by Fiji.

Authorities say the ferry departed Nonouti Island bound for South Tarawa on January 18.

The 240 kilometre journey was expected to take two days.

Senior Search and Rescue Officer John Ashby says the MV Butiraoi, a 17.5-metre wooden catamaran, was first reported missing to them late on Friday.

He says the vessel underwent repairs to its propeller shaft just before leaving, which may have contributed to navigation problems.

Ashby says people on islands and vessels along the planned route are being contacted to ask if they have seen the vessel.

Kiribati is a remote, impoverished nation of 33 atolls that is home to about 108,000 people.