Japanese set runabout adrift

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 3

Japanese set runabout adrift

PA New Plymouth Japanese fishermen on Sunday set adrift a 5m runabout- they .had discovered drifting off the Kawhia coast earlier, in the day, after failing to reach a satisfactory arrangement with insurance authorities. The boat is owned by two Inglewood fishermen, Messrs T. Long and M- Dodds. The two' • men had to swim ashore to Onaero on Friday evening after." they were thrown from the craft while checking a long line. Mr -Long s. believes the steering -of 'the fibreglass boat was faulty: and this

caused it suddenly to turn full circle, throwing the two of them overboard. The boat was found on Sunday by a Japanese fishing vessel 70km west of Kawhia at 5.20 a.m. Marine Division officers were told of the find, and they informed the insurers of the craft. However, an agreement on bringing the $5OOO runabout back to port could not be reached and the Japanese set the boat adrift at 5.20 p.m.

Captain F. W. Hunt of the Marine Division’s search and rescue headquarters in Wellington said that the rough seas and the possibility (hat

the runabout posed a threat to the trawler’s fishing gear would also have prompted th<- Japanese to release the boat. He said the runabout was drifting north again and a warning had been issued by his department notifying coastal traffic of its .presence. The boat will remain the responsibility of its insurers and could drift indefinitely, said Captain Hunt. Mr Dodds was unaware that his boat had been set adrift when approached on Sunday and discussed its future'with insurance representatives yesterday.