Coastguard rescues stricken boat off Mahia

Napier Coastguard plucked three people from this pleasure craft on Tuesday night after it was damaged in the storm which raced up the country. The vessel later ran aground north of Blue Bay at Mahia Beach. Pictures by Wairoa Star

A Coastguard crew from Napier rescued three people from a disabled 12-metre pleasure craft off Mahia Peninsula late on Tuesday night.

Police and the Coastguard were called at  about 10pm on Tuesday to assist the people on board the Gitan II.

In the storm which swept up the coast on Tuesday, a large wave damaged the vessel. One of those on board suffered a back injury and another a laceration to the arm.

“Adverse weather and gear failure on the vessel meant it could not be secured,” police said.

“It was deemed far too dangerous to tow.”

The craft was escorted by the Coastguard crew closer to Mahia Beach and then the three people on board were transferred to the Coastguard boat and taken to Mahia boat ramp where they were checked over by a St John ambulance crew.

The boat went aground a kilometre east of Blue Bay on Mahia Beach. Due to environmental risks, people were advised to stay away from the Gitan II after it had washed ashore.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council team lead for pollution and compliance Mike Signal said it was hoped the boat would be removed once the water and diesel had been pumped out.

Squabs, a seat and cabin contents lay along the beach near the vessel yesterday morning, testimony to the storm and swell the boat had battled. — Wairoa Star and Gisborne Herald reporters