MANILA, Philippines -  A white yacht was found abandoned after running aground near Currimao town, Ilocos Norte Thursday morning.

A Coast Guard report said the MV Ocean Star was found abandoned some 40 meters from the shoreline of Barangay Pangil at around 8 a.m.

"The whereabouts of the crew is still unknown but one life raft was sighted near the vicinity believed to have been used by the crew in abandoning the vessel," the Coast Guard report said.

Residents said the 30-meter vessel could have run aground at around 2 a.m. Police said the yacht's engine was punctured and was leaking gasoline.

Police said they also found a receipt for a certain Thanhir Yacub of San Fernando City in La Union in 2006. When asked about the yacht, Yacub told police that he might have issued the receipt to a customer who bought spare parts from his store.

Personnel  of the Coast Guard's Marine Environmental Protection office have been directed to proceed to Currimao to check, prevent or contain possible oil spill caused by the vessel grounding on the rocky area.

Authorities are also on the lookout for the yacht's owner.