Police investigation at Port Nelson near the Main Wharf, after a car was discovered on the harbour bottom.

A submerged car found at a Nelson wharf "looks like it has been there a while", police say.

The national police dive squad has been called in to help recover the car that was found at Wakefield Quay on the city's waterfront. They will attempt to retrieve the vehicle on Tuesday morning.

Divers, believed to be from a private firm, were seen to make one trip to the submerged car at around 3.30pm.

MARTIN DE RUYTER Senior Sergeant Blair Hall of Nelson police, centre, and Detective Kelvin Heiford, right, with divers who inspected a submerged car at Port Nelson on Monday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnston said it was not known what type of car it was.

Johnston was part of a significant police presence, including other senior detectives, at the Port Nelson wharf which was closed to public access on Monday afternoon.

A police officer and port security remained at the scene last night.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/FAIRFAX NZ Police launched a recovery operation at Wakefield Quay in Nelson after a vehicle was discovered submerged in the water on Monday.

The wharf is mainly used as a berth for visiting super yachts.

It is understood a vessel departing the berth got its anchor chain snagged on a submerged object that was later identified as a car.

A Fire Service command unit was also at the scene.

Johnston said the car was obviously of interest to police.