Stern of a 60-foot [18.2m] launch being raised from the sea floor near Motiti Island after it hit submerged rocks on May 16. Photo / Sean Kelly, Pacific 7 Ltd
Stern of a 60-foot [18.2m] launch being raised from the sea floor near Motiti Island after it hit submerged rocks on May 16. Photo / Sean Kelly, Pacific 7 Ltd
In a case of nautical deja vu, an 18.2m luxury launch salvaged near Tauranga four months ago has managed to sink all over again – this time en route to Whangārei.
The private launch first sank in May, after hitting rocks during a sightseeing tour near Mōtītī Island.
The Maritimovessel went down on Sunday in the South Bay of Slipper Island/Whakahau, according to a Waikato Regional Harbourmaster Facebook post.
Slipper Island is about 3km off the east Coromandel coast, near Pauanui.
The post said it appeared the launch took on water through open engine hatches.
The boat was sitting on the seabed in about 4m of water, anchored to minimise shifting.
Salvors were on site and mopping up a sheen caused by “residual oils” from the engine bay, an update said.
Waikato Regional Harbourmaster Chris Bredenback told the Waikato Herald the launch’s owner had wanted to transfer it to Whangārei, in Northland, for a refit.
While boaties were asked to stay away from the sunken vessel so as to stop it from potentially breaking up, there was little risk of any diesel or oil spills, Bredenback said.
Because the boat had been salvaged before, the oil and diesel was removed with only a residual amount left in carpets, he said.
“It is really low impact, environmental impact from that residual spill.”
Fourteen people were rescued from the stricken launch before it sank in about 8m of water off Mōtītī Island on May 16.
The 18.2m launch was first salvaged off Mōtītī Island but sank a second time while under tow to Whangārei. Photo/ Facebook
The estimated 35-50 tonne boat was salvaged by Bay Underwater Services, which had been engaged by the owner’s insurer, company director Rob Campbell previously told the Bay of Plenty Times.
“Prior to raising the casualty using about 60 tonnes of air lift bags, the launch’s fuel tanks were sealed off to prevent any further diesel leakage and the fuel tanks were found intact,” he said at the time.
Fourteen people were rescued from the stricken launch before it sank in May. Photo / Sean Kelly, Pacific 7 Ltd
Bredenback said the vessel had been brought back to the dry dock at Tauranga Harbour, and was being towed to Whangārei privately by the owner and his associates when it sank on Sunday.
He said Trojan Marine Services, a salvage company, would be very motivated to lift the launch off the ocean floor.
“They will be motivated to get it lifted and get it to wherever they need to get it to.
