The Norwegian coastguard have taken over the hunt for a missing Dutch sailing ship which has vanished with a crew of three on board.

The Warnow was apparently heading for Norway from Scotland and should have arrived on April 22 but nothing has been heard from the ship for two weeks.

The ship, a converted pilot boat, had to be rescued off the English coast in March when it got into difficulty and was towed to safety in high seas and strong winds.

Norwegian coastguards are using helicopters with special sensors in an effort to locate the ship. Officials in Sweden, Denmark and Germany have also been warned to be on the alert for internet signals, Dutch media reported.

A spokesman for the Dutch coastguard said the final destination of the ship is unknown and it was believed to be heading for the Northern Lights. ‘We are only getting brief information from the family, and we think it a little odd that they don’t seem to be worried,’ the spokesman was quoted as saying.