LOST GEAR SNAGGED

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 3

LOST GEAR SNAGGED

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 24. Masts, anchors and chains lost on the seabed by the Radio Hauraki vessel Tiri are creating a hazard, wrecking equipment, and making some fishing beds unworkable, say Auckland fishermen. The Marine Department is believed to be investigating ways of stopping Radio Hauraki dropping two more anchors which, if lost may create a further danger. “The anchors are huge things and are at present on the wharf at Whangaparapara Bay with about

40 fathoms of heavy chain,” said the skipper of the fishing boat Daisy Bell, Mr R. Thomson.

The vice-president of the Auckland Fishermen’s Association, Mr W. Griffiths, said that on three occasions Auckland boats had caught equipment dropped by the Tiri. “The first was before Christmas when a boat caught an anchor and chain it its net,” he said. “The net was destroyed, although the anchor was brought back home.” “We have told' Radio Hauraki they can come and reclaim their anchor

—if they pay £l2O to replace the net. They have not reclaimed it yet.” The trawler San Victoria got its net caught in the mast which the Tiri lost in a storm.

The mast was dragged to the surface and then dropped again. The latest trawler to snag the mast is Mr W. J. Jennings’s vessel, Kaikohe.

Marine experts in Auckland said today that there was a danger when objects became caught in nets and crews had to drag them to the surface.