SMASHING GOOD JOB: Mayor Rehette Stoltz launches Kaitiaki, the new boat for the harbourmaster, in traditional style by breaking a bottle of bubbly over the prow of the vessel. Picture by Liam Clayton
GISBORNE'S harbourmaster Salvatore “Sonny” Ali is no longer the only harbourmaster in the country without a boat, after a new craft was officially launched in traditional nautical style yesterday.
The harbourmaster had previously relied on a jet-ski borrowed from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
The new craft will allow
Mr Ali to conduct patrols, enforce maritime rules and keep tabs on navigational hazards.
Councillors agreed in February to the $200,000 purchase of a boat and trailer, subject to approving how much it would cost to run the vessel.
The running costs, calculated at $8000 to $9000 a year, were subsequently approved in a split decision in May.
