Recreational boaties coming and going from the harbour are being advised to watch out for tug wash turbulence like this at the back of a tug, which the harbourmaster says can be "extremely dangerous".
Recreational boaties coming and going from the harbour are being advised to watch out for tug wash turbulence like this at the back of a tug, which the harbourmaster says can be "extremely dangerous".
Gisborne District Council has issued a warning to recreational boaties to stay clear of tugboats operating in the inner harbour because their wash poses “a serious safety risk”.
With the recent opening of Berth 7 at Eastland Port, more ships are using the harbour and tugboat operations have increased significantly,the council said in a statement.
Tug wash refers to the strong underwater current and associated turbulence produced by the propellers of a tugboat, which can easily catch and throw smaller vessels around.
Harbourmaster Peter Buell said many boaties were not aware of the danger.
“If you look closely at the image with this story, you can see there isn’t much room between the back of the tugboat and the wall.
“The greatest risk is recreational boaties who think they can fit through the gap and risk being caught in the tug wash and having their boats thrown into the wall,” Buell said. “It’s extremely dangerous.”
He encourages anyone using the inner harbour to check the shipping schedule on council’s website before heading out, so they can plan their trip accordingly.
“Your crab pots and fishing spots will still be there. Wait until it is safe to pass.”
