Wharf sweeper ends up in Whangarei Harbour

A wharf sweeper became a temporary sea cleaner when it ended up in Whangarei Harbour. PHOTO/ John Stone

A wharf cleaning machine and driver plunged 3m off a wharf into Whangarei Harbour during a night shift.

The driver of the small tractor with a sweeper attached to the front was able to swim clear and was hauled ashore by co-workers about 11.15pm on Monday.

Back on land is a wharf sweeper that went for a swim in Whangarei Harbour. PHOTO/ John Stone

The wharf sweeper was part of C3, which is New Zealand's largest on-wharf logistics company.

In a written statement the company confirmed an incident occurred at their C3 Marsden Point operation where a machine operated by one of their employees went over the wharf into the sea.

"The employee was not injured and is receiving support. The machine has been recovered," they said. "An investigation into the incident is under way."

The company's website says C3 have export log operations on 15 Ports in New Zealand and Australia, including their Marusumi Whangarei woodchip operation at Marsden Point at Northport.

C3 looks after more than 30 million logs per year, plus more than 320,000 tonnes of wood chip.

Whangarei Harbour Master Jim Lyle said he was alerted to the incident via a text message about 11.20pm on Monday.

He said given the machine's small size there were only small quantities of diesel and oil involved.

Northport chief executive officer Jon Moore said a crane on the western end of Wharf 1 was used to lift the tractor ashore about 12.15pm yesterday.

Two divers were used in the recovery of a wharf sweeper that ended up in Whangarei Harbour. PHOTO/John Stone

Two divers were also used to attach the straps to the tractor before it was lifted.

WorkSafe was yet to be notified of the incident.