This is the dramatic moment the Coast Guard pursued a suspected yacht thief across Honolulu Harbor.

Officials from Station Honolulu swooped across the water to detain a man accused of stealing the 43ft luxury vessel on February 21.

Local media reported that the incident began when watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command centre received an urgent report of the yacht weaving erratically through the busy harbour waters.

Dramatic footage shows the yacht slowly moving in the water as the crew's vessel approached it from behind.

Officials said the vessel's irregular manoeuvres seriously threatened other boaters and violated a permanent security zone near Piers 6-11, an area closely monitored for safety and security.

Authorities have not yet released the suspect's identity.