A Northland boatie whose pride and joy ran aground and sank on his first outing is overwhelmed by the kindness of Whangaroa's boating community.
Rob Clarke bought a 65-year-old kauri fishing boat and was taking it from Auckland to his home at Kaimaumau, on the Rangaunu Harbour north of Kaitaia, when disaster struck in last weekend's wild weather. He took shelter in the Matangirau arm of Whangaroa Harbour but the anchor dragged in the night, leaving him stuck fast on the shore at 4.20am on Sunday with a metre-long gash in the hull.
Mr Clarke, a young crewman and a dog were rescued by Whangaroa Coastguard and a fisherman known only as Bill after their situation worsened suddenly on Sunday afternoon and they were forced to make a mayday call.
The two men and the dog were unharmed, but left with a damaged boat stuck in an isolated bay.
Named Taramea, the boat was was originally used for fishing in the deep south. Mr Clarke had planned to do it up and eventually live on board.