Harbourmaster secures beached yacht as hunt for owner begins

A yacht has grounded at Mount Maunganui.

Police have been called to the end of Tay St, where the yacht, which they said was called Heloise, has beached.

“It does not appear that there is anyone with the vessel,” police said.

Avalee Donovan‑Treehella, an employee at Tay Street Beach Kitchen, ran down to the beach and saw the boat washed ashore.

According to her coworker, half the café went to the beach to look.

The yacht grounded in Mount Maunganui at the end of Tay St. Photo / Supplied

A reporter at the scene said someone from the surf lifesaving club was putting tape around the yacht.

“There are not many people down on the beach. There are a couple of people taking photos, but no one seems to know what has happened.”

The beached yacht. Photo / Sandra Conchie

According to the Tauranga Bay Surfing Forecast on the MetService, an easterly wind is gusting 35knots with a wave height of 2.9m at times.

The swell height is 2.1m and in an easterly direction.

Bay of Plenty deputy harbourmaster Daniel Rapson said the Harbourmaster team are onsite and has set the anchor to secure the yacht safely near the high tide mark.

“Efforts to identify and contact the owner are underway, and options for its removal from the current location, once on-water conditions improve, are being considered.”