An abandoned American yacht has washed up on Ripiro Beach near Dargaville after drifting almost 500 nautical miles from where it was last seen.
The yacht was abandoned in heavy seas about 160 nautical miles west of Kaitaia several weeks ago and has drifted around 500 nautical miles to where it
is now lying.
The crew of three were winched from the yacht by the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter after the Boundless took a battering during horrendous weather while on its way from Brisbane to Auckland late last month.
Originally the helicopter had been called to transport extra fuel to the yacht but with another low about to hit the already stricken yacht the crew decided to abandon the boat.
Since then it has been at the mercy of the seas and drifted with the current to the Kaipara coast line.
Kaipara ship wreck explorer Noel Hilliam said the yacht was beached by high seas about 20km south of Glinks Gully sometime on Saturday.
"The normal current pattern reversed to a southerly set on the first March moon, so with the wind and heavy seas in the southwest quarter I expected it would end up along the west coast."
Mr Hilliam said the sea currents in this area reverse every 20-30 years.
Evidence of the warmer sea can be seen by the increased number of marlin and tuna in the area as well as tropical fish and snakes. Apart from a snapped mast the boat was in remarkably good condition and worth salvaging, he said.
The Northern Advocate understands that the boat owners' insurance have jurisdiction over the salvage and have contracted local logging contractor Tom Newlove to attempt the salvage.
A planned attempt on Monday was thwarted by the unsatisfactory beach conditions, high winds and large waves.
More attempts will be made once conditions improve. Security will remain around the yacht until it is recovered. It is expected a crane and transporter will be needed for the operation.
The Boundless was owned by an American couple.
