One yacht sunk, two on beach

High winds sank a yacht in Pilot Bay yesterday. The treacherous conditions also blew three boats ashore and flipped the dinghy of a boatie in the town reach.

The boatie was checking his mooring at the height of the gale at about 4pm yesterday when the dinghy was flipped in the wind. He was brought ashore by the Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard.

Nikita's mast in Pilot Bay. Photo by Kevin Crawshaw.

There is a mast sticking out of the water in Pilot Bay this morning that Bay of Plenty Regional Council Deputy Harbour Master Chris Isherwood says is believed to be that of the 15-tonne ferro cement yacht Nikita. The harbourmaster's office is contacting the owner.

The boat has 400 litres of diesel on board, but none appears to have escaped into the harbour, says Chris.

Two other boats blown ashore in Pilot Bay yesterday will be re-floated on the high tide at 7pm. Conditions were too rough to move the boats off the beach last night.

A 9m blue-and-white launch known as Eagle, which had been anchored in Pilot Bay, and the 11m yacht Te Hani, which had broken its mooring, appeared to have escaped any major damage says Chris.

An older wooden boat, Sea Gypsy, broke its mooring in the Waikareao Estuary and was reported ashore at Chapel St. The owner is checking the vessel this morning.

Chris says it is important boat owners check their moorings today and ensure their boats are secure after yesterday's battering.

'We've had a record four boats in trouble this time, but owners need to ensure their boats are secure today now that conditions have eased,” he says.

'Responsible boat owners need to take all precautions in keeping their vessel safe if they know about impending severe weather, even if it means moving it to a sheltered marina.”

Meanwhile, back on shore, power is out in Te Puke, Paengaroa, Rangiuru Te Matai and Te Maunga today as Powerco contractors continue to deal with the effects of yesterday's conditions.

High winds brought down trees across power lines resulting in power cuts across the district.

Powerco spokesman Neil Holdem says: 'That tends to cause equipment failure when lines clash or when trees and things go through lines.

'That causes faults that can go right back to the transformers, blow fuses and protection relays and related equipment. There have been multiple faults out at Te Puke.”

The Powerco website reports power will be out in affected areas until 4.30pm.

The Port of Tauranga recorded a peak gust at the tug berth yesterday of 61 knots, or 112 km/h, and it was above 50 knots 92km/h for sustained periods.

The Sulphur Point container terminal stopped work for much of the afternoon as winds speeds passed the 40 knot safe working threshold for cranes.

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1 comment

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Posted on 08-10-2014 11:00 | By maccachic

Is this anything to do with the previous company in charge of the moorings?


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