A large charter boat is being battered on rocks off the shore of the Mauao base track.
The boat was aground on rocks about 11.35pm last night and as the tide has changed this morning, the boat has begun breaking apart as waves crashed into it.
A member of thepublic walking the Mauao base track said there was a large amount of debris in the water and the boat continued to smash against the rocks with every new wave.
A large crowd has gathered on the track, stopping to watch and take photos. Other boats are floating nearby, with people in one dinghy trying to scoop up debris with a net.
A member of the Harbourmaster team said the boat had begun breaking up partly and the owner of the boat and salvager were working to sort the situation.
Bay of Plenty Council staff worked to remove fuel tanks from the boat and at this stage, she said they could not confirm whether fuel had entered the water.
Fishing Charters generally had quite a diesel-like smell to them and that was what some witnesses may be smelling, she said.
Photographer Chris Taylor was walking around the base track about 6.15am today when he spotted a person walking away from a large charter boat on the rocks.
