New images of a mystery boat which sank halfway between Low Island and Batt Reef off Port Douglas on Saturday have been released by the water police.

Police believe the 8m ghost sailing ship may have been sold online in the past month, with the pictures showing the make and model of the vessel at an unknown location.

No one was believed to have been on board the boat when it sank after being found half submerged at 10.10am Saturday, July 26, by a tourism helicopter, with a boatie on the scene a short time later.

The vessel may have come adrift from moorings or anchor, as the mast was disabled and tied to the foredeck of the vessel, so the boat was not able to sail.

Two boats from Marine Rescue Queensland (Port Douglas) joined the search on Saturday in case there were people on the sinking yacht.

The Rescue Vessel Port Douglas and the Rescue Vessel Mossman, crewed by qualified volunteers, spent six hours doing “expanding square” searches to cover a large area around the stricken vessel,  joined by a local boat in the search.

They called off the search at 3pm after no-one was found and it became apparent that no-one had been aboard.  

Water Police would like to speak to the old or new owners to confirm their safety and urge anyone who recognised the vessel to contact police.