Tasmania Police are responding to a mayday call received at 1.45am from a vessel in distress.

Police are conducting air, sea and shoreline searches this morning in the Badger Island area, west of Flinders Island.

The vessel was located partially submerged at about 5.45am this morning.  It’s believed there was one man on board, and he has not yet been located.

The vessel is now fully submerged and police have been unable to ascertain whether the life raft has been released.

The Tasmania Police Westpac Rescue helicopter has been activated and is on the way to Badger Island.