RAISING OF VESSEL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 14

RAISING OF VESSEL

Help By Skin Diver (N.Z. Press Association) NELSON, April 30. Five hours of underwater work by Mr R. Stringer, a Nelson skin diver, enabled the sunken fishing trawler Eastern Star to be raised and towed to Bulwer in Pelorus Sound, yesterday. The boat, extensively damaged after striking a rock on Friday morning, is now on the beach at Bulwer awaiting repairs. With the aid of lights, Mr Stringer secured the trawler with ropes ready for lifting. The boat was lying on its side in about 30 feet of water between 300 and 400 yards off the coast.

The Eastern Star was raised after daylight yesterday with the aid of a small punt which had been brought from Bulwer. The launch was towed back to Bulwer about 4 o'clock. The damage is extensive but “nothing that can’t be repaired," according to Mr Stringer.

He owed his life to the expert seamanship of his brother, Mr John McCauley, who rescued him under great difficulties, said Mr Vern McCauley, sole occupant of the Eastern Star, according to a message from Blenheim. Mr John McCauley, in the launch. I'm Alone, made a five-mile dash through heavy seas to his brother’s aid after a radio call had been sent out from the Eastern Star. He went alongside and managed to get his brother off after heavy seas had broken over the stranded launch for 30 minutes, and its occupant had been all but washed overboard on at least three occasions.