Heavy seas undo boat's seven-week reef knot

The Seawyf. Photo / Jim Lyle

Heavy sea swells have tipped a 100-tonne Far North commercial fishing boat into the sea from its perch on Fairway Reef, 7km north of the entrance to Mangonui Harbour in Doubtless Bay, where it had been stuck for seven weeks.

The 20m Seawyf struck the reef in darkness on March 4 while returning to Mangonui in heavy seas. The vessel disappeared from the reef on Tuesday.

Northland Regional Council deputy regional harbourmaster Jim Lyle confirmed the boat had "gone totally" over the edge of the reef and now could not be seen.

Council staff plan to visit the site today to see what's happened to the wreck.

The council has issued a local warning to fishermen, boaties and sailors who use the bay to be aware of the wreck if they're near Fairway Reef.

No salvage had been attempted because of a disagreement between the Seawyf's owners and insurers over who should pay for its removal.