Sunken launch lifted from Iron Pot in Napier

It was a smooth operation for the Hawke's Bay Regional Council as they lifted a sunken launch from the Iron Pot in Napier.

The boat - named Freetime - was discovered by morning strollers early on Sunday still attached to its mooring, and the regional council placed a pollution boom around it as a precaution while they planned its removal.

With the hull heavy with barnacles, the launch was lifted from the jaded waters of the Iron Pot onto a tow truck by Diacks Cranes on Tuesday morning.

Murky water gushed from four large holes at the back and another at the front of the launch.

Multiple calls to the owner made by the Napier City Council still go unanswered and begs the question of what's going to happen to the stricken vessel.

Hawke's Bay Regional Harbour Master Captain Martin Moore said retrieving the launch was a simple and straightforward operation.

"Everything worked like clockwork, it's out of the water now where it can't do any more harm."

Moore said the launch did not pose any threat of leaking any oil or diesel into the water while it was resting on the ocean floor.

"A lot of dirty water came out when it got it well clear of the water's edge."

Moore said they were now preparing bills and invoices as they continued to attempt to make contact with the owner.

When it came to the disposal of the boat, Moore said there were two options, one being Onekawa Metal Recyclers could take it away or the boat could be taken out and sunk.

"If we crossed all the t's and dotted all the i's that could be a possibility out in deep waters, but we would have to make sure we're not doing something culturally insensitive."

"At this stage the owner still owns the boat, the city council and myself at the regional council are sitting on his asset and we need to talk."