End of the stormy weather for weekend

DRIFTING: Waves swamped a boat near One Tree Point after it broke free from a mooring. PHOTO/ MICHELLE JACKSON

It's safe to go back in the water as the rain has passed and more pleasant beach weather is forecast for Northland this weekend.

Heavy rain, which caused flashed flooding in Northland this week, will be replaced with long fine spells and light showers for the region over the next two days, according to MetService. This week's weather also saw a boat slip its mooring and on to rocks at One Tree Pt.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said winds would be light with afternoon sea breezes increasing while temperatures in Whangarei reaching a high of 27 degrees today and 26 tomorrow, Kaitaia could expect a high of 27 today and Dargaville 23 degrees.

Mr Doolin said the front that brought the rain to Northland was well off the east coast and would have no further affect.

Along with the flooding, the winds also washed one boat on to rocks off One Tree Point on Wednesday. The boat came free from its mooring and ended up on rocks as part of a break water. Yesterday, the boat sat on the sand at low tide and was secured with ropes to prevent it moving again.

Northland Regional Council deputy harbour master Chidambaram Surendran was notified of the drifting boat and immediately responded. The weather worsened and waves washing over the stern caused the boat to be swamped. The owners are believed to be from Tauranga so locals used ropes to secure the vessel.

Mr Surendran said there was no threat of a petrol spill, but the hull had a few holes as a result of the rocks.

He said it was a timely reminder for boat owners to check their moorings, particularly if rough weather was forecast. Regular checks of the rope tying the vessel to the mooring should also be done to look for any wear.

"It can be a very expensive mistake to make for the sake of a five-minute check of a mooring rope," Mr Surendran said.

He was unsure how the boat had come off its mooring.