ENGINE LOST AT SEA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28531, 10 March 1958, Page 8

ENGINE LOST AT SEA

Speedboat Adrift

Near Heads

After drifting for several hours off the. Lyttelton Heads on Saturday night, a speedboat, Cresta 11, was beached at Godley Head and the crew of two scrambled ashore.

The Cresta II is owned by Mr D. Deraine, of Christchurch, who, with a companion, a Mr Robertson, left Lyttelton about 8 p.m. Outside the heads the engine failed and the two men began to paddle the boat back to Godley Head, The sea was choppy and the men had only one paddle and a piece of wood. Nearing the beach the the outboard motor, valued at £330, became unshipped and was lost overboard. The boat was run up on the rocky beach at 3.30 a.m. yesterday and made fast to a crayfish pot filled with rocks. The plight of the boat had been observed by the assistant lighthouse keeper at Godley Head, Mr D. Bauce, who notified the head keeper, Mr H. R. Bateman. Men from the Army depot took Messrs Deraine and Robertson up to their quarters, where they were given breakfast. The Cresta II was towed back to Lyttelton yesterday afternoon by the launch Tuatea, owned by Mr Alan Scott, of Lyttelton. Attempts to salvage the engine are to be made this week.