A 42ft old style wooden launch is awaiting a tow back to Tauranga after sinking in Shelley Bay, Bowentown overnight.

The launch grounded at low tide and filled with water after 5am this morning.

The 42ft wooden launch is waiting to be towed to Tauranga. Photo: Elaine Fisher.

It was pumped out this morning by Athenree volunteer fire fighters and Waihi Beach Coastguard volunteers, says coastguard skipper Tim Watts.

'He tried to moor in Shelley Bay last night, but as the tide came in and out, he obviously got up on the sand and filled up full of water,” says Tim.

'If you don't know that part of the harbour you will end up in trouble. It goes from about seven metres (depth) to one metre.

'He anchored in seven metres of water and of course the tide came in and swung him round into about one metre and he tipped over on his side.”

There were two people on board the old-style launch, a man and a woman. Tim's is not sure where they are from.

The boat has been pumped out and is in Anzac Bay awaiting a tow to Tauranga.