Fishing Launch Beached

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31598, 8 February 1968, Page 22

Fishing Launch Beached

(N.Z. Press Association)

MASTERTON.

In winds up to 100 miles an hour five men struggled late last night to anchor their launch Mizpah beyond the reef at Castlepoint. After breaking three anchor ropes they decided to ground the launch on the beach.

Residents at Castlepoint had been watching the boat since 4 p.m. yesterday as it steamed up and down the bay in heavy seas, trying to anchor.

About 10.30 p.m. Mr and Mrs R. Neilsen, of Eketahuna, who are on holiday in the area, were about to go to bed when they heard a knock on the door. Five wet, bedraggled men were standing on the doorstep, explaining the purpose of their unexpected visit.

Several persons were roused from their beds and, with spotlights, they gathered at the beach to see the launch lying slightly on its side, being pounded by waves. The 42ft launch, which

weighs about six tons, was firmly entrenched in the sand this morning. The present owner, Mr H. Healey, purchased the Mizpah only two days ago for crayfishing in Gisborne. Its previous owner, Mr R. Warnes, had used it as a pleasure craft. “Although the boat is in sad

shape now we had complete control throughout the whoie manoeuvre of bringing it in,” said Mr Warnes. “Although the transmitter was working the crew could not pick up anyone on shore so the plight was not realised.” Early this morning the crew and residents from Castlepoint removed equipment and prepared to beach the boat.

Mr Healey said that if the boat could be pulled out of the sand he would have it repaired, refloat it, and sail on to Gisborne.