By ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE
TAURANGA - The Taioma Reef Society responsible for sinking a historic tug off Motiti Island near Mt Maunganui in March will keep a watching brief on the dive attraction.
An annual scholarship will be offered to marine studies students for research over the next decade, says the society's president, Wayne Renner.
The 340-tonne Taioma was lowered on to the seabed after volunteers worked to save it from scrap.
Donated to the former Tauranga Historic Village in 1979 by the late Sir Robert Owens, the vessel had spent 20 years on dry land. Now it is proving to be a popular non-commercial dive attraction.
Mr Renner says money left over from the $70,000 raised at an auction of the tug's restored fittings will be used to start the scholarship.
The society will return to the business community each year to top up the fund.
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