9:22:42 Saturday 21 December 2024

Mercury Bay Freighter sinks off Devils Point

The 40-foot vessel sank after getting into trouble around 12.30pm on Monday. Photo: Coromandel’s CFM Facebook.

Boaties are being urged to stay clear of Devils Point near Whitianga following the sinking of the Mercury Bay Freighter.

The 40-foot vessel, which was reported to have bagged ready to mix concrete on board, got into trouble and sank off Devils Point around 12.30pm on Monday.

Coromandel's CFM reports that Coastguard Whitianga and a local cray boat responded to the call.

'When crews arrived, the boat had sunk and the sole crew member had been rescued by the cray boat,” says a post on the radio stations page.

'According to Graham Caddy from Coastguard, conditions yesterday were not great with south easterly winds.

'The boat is lying in 30m of water and Graham Caddy has asked us to mention that there will be debris in the water in the area and any boats should stay clear of the Devils Point area.

'It is understood that salvage crews will be heading out to look at the feasibility of recovery.”

Waikato Regional Council reports that the stricken vessel has since started to break up on nearby rocks.

'Waikato Regional Council's maritime officers attended the scene on Monday afternoon, but rough sea conditions prevented salvage from the remote outcrop,” says a post on the council's Facebook page.

'There was a small amount of marine diesel onboard the vessel at the time, which has been dispersed by the rough seas and is unlikely to have a significant impact on the marine environment.

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