The pilothouse cutter Checkmate has been re-floated and towed to Tauranga after grounding near Motuhoura (Whale Island) near Whakatane last Friday.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Regional Harbourmaster Peter Buell says the boat was badly holed in about eight places on the port side where the cutter had been lying in the surf.

Damage to the hull of the pilothouse cutter

Checkmate grounded on Motuhoura (Whale Island).

'Fortunately we got her before she broke up, and there was no environmental damage as a result.”

Regional Council Maritime and Pollution Prevention staff worked last weekend to remove more than 450 litres of diesel so that it didn't leak into the sea.

Peter says the boat's skipper had said the boat's engine seized when salt water got into it.

'The Regional Council declared the boat a wreck earlier this week, and the fate of the vessel would be decided once it had been properly appraised.”

Checkmate at Sulphur Point.

The ferro cement hull is pierced in several places.