Sunken launch re-floated

A 12m wooden launch that sank in Mayor Island's South East Bay last Friday night has been salvaged and returned to Tauranga.

Two people were on board when it ran into rocks and sank.


The launch was raised with airbags and strops. Photos: Supplied.

Tauranga Coastguard were unable to do anything for it and the recovery became an insurance matter.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council Maritime Team was notified of the grounding, and went out to the island to assess the vessel, and to monitor for pollution, first thing Saturday morning.

They found the launch submerged on rocks hard against a cliff. They attempted to re-float the boat along with Department of Conservation staff and contractors, but they called off the attempt because of weather conditions.

The salvage team included Bay Marine Services - which provided the lift and tow vessel and staff - and divers from Bay Underwater Services NZ Ltd - which also brought a lift vessel. Marine Survey Tauranga as agent for the insurers, the owner and Regional Council maritime pollution prevention officer Adrian Heays, went out on Tuesday.

'It was impressive to see what can be achieved in these circumstances and the salvage team must be congratulated. It's also a timely reminder, to always keep a lookout by all means possible and to not rely on GPS solely for navigation,” says Adrian.

The launch was returned to the Tauranga Marina on Thursday, mostly in one piece.

'Everyone involved worked hard under very difficult conditions to recover this vessel and prevent any major environmental effects,” says Adrian.

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