Hollywood star Johnny Depp has abandoned ship, storming off the Gold Coast set of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film.

This time it's not his dogs that have caused the departure - he's reportedly chasing his wife Amber Heard back to the US to try to salvage his marriage.

The actor had been due to begin filming key scenes on board his character Captain Jack Sparrow’s beloved ship, The Black Pearl, last night ... at the 250 million dollar production set in Helensvale.

Production sources have told the Gold Coast Bulletin Depp fled the set before cameras could start rolling.

He'll leave the country on the first available private charter flight.

Depp has already left the country once during filming after he injured his hand, going for treatment in America.