Boat grounded on beach

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32847, 22 February 1972, Page 2

Boat grounded on beach

(N.Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 21.

A 30ft tuna fishing boat, the Avenger, ran aground in thick mist and heavy seas on a beach north of Waitara early this afternoon.

The boat was not damaged, and the only person on board, Mr S. Palmer, of Lower Hutt, was not injured. A thick, misty drizzle, combined with heavy seas and an incoming tide, drove the boat close to the shore. “I had been making just one more fishing trip to see if it was worth while. The fishing has been slack recently,” Mr Palmer said. “It was one trip too many.” Mr Palmer notified the marine radio of his predicament, but because he was unfamiliar with the coastline, he was unable to give precise indications of where he had gone aground. The New Plymouth and Waitara police sought assistance from coastal residents, and a police patrol was sent from Waitara to search beaches with road access. The Avenger was found about 4 p.m. Residents said the Avenger had come ashore between two

large reefs, and had grounded on the only sandy area for some distance. Mr Palmer had 30001 b of tuna on board. This afternoon the catch was being unloaded into a freezer truck, and plans were being made to attempt to refloat the boat at high tide tomorrow morning.