Bottom out of life savings

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 3

Bottom out of life savings

Nelson reporter “That’s my life savings down the drain,” said Mr Gary Thomas of Nelson, as he contemplated the future without his 8.5-metre cabin cruiser which broke from her moorings in Nelson harbour yesterday. The cruiser which Mr Thomas said could not be rebuilt for $60,000, broke from her mooring overnight and when finally beached in Haulashore Island Mr Thomas discovered that the keel and bottom had been ripped out of her. The vessel Tidesong had cost Mr Thomas $30,000 only five months ago and recently he had fitted a new diesel engine in her. She is insured but the insurance will nowhere near

cover her replacement cost. Mr Thomas found that the boat had broken away yesterday morning after a night of fierce winds and high seas in Nelson. He saw her being dashed by waves against the concrete road wall of Wakefield Quay in the morning. Mr Thomas, a Nelson Harbour Board employee, engaged the board’s smaller tug Wakaatu and he managed to get a line aboard the Tidesong. However, while under tow the rope broke, and although another was attached, Tidesong broke away again and drifted over to Haulashore Island where, on the southern point she pounded out her bottom on the rocks.

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