Kaipara boat sinking devastates families
Saturday.
Tony Walles from Kaipara Cat Fishing Charters didn’t understand the decision to head out across the notoriously dangerous bar.
‘‘Even in the morning when it was better, with the forecast the way it was, you just wouldn’t even contemplate doing it,’’ he said.
The information came to light as police, yesterday, named the men who perished when the Francie capsized on Saturday afternoon.
They are Auerua Ngametuaangai Aria, 59, of Cook Island descent; Alipate Afeaki Manumia, also known as Pate, 33, of Tongan descent; Fred Marsters, also known as Freddy, 58, of Cook Islands descent; Tevita Natisolo Tangi, also known as David, 31, of Tongan descent; Fonua Amanu Taufa, also known as Nua, 42, of Tongan
Ungounga, descent.
William ‘‘Bill’’ McNatty, the skipper of the Francie, was also killed and another man who died has yet to be named.
Ann Marsters, the wife of Fred, wept as she spoke about her ‘‘safety conscious’’ husband.
‘‘I’ve had such a wonderful life with Fred. I’ve had a wonderful life with him.
‘‘Everything Fred did, he did with a passion.
‘‘There was no half measures it was all or nothing.’’
She said Fred was a keen fisherman and every weekend he could, he would be out on the water.
Taulagi Afamasaga, still missing.
His daughter, Amy Yerro, said the family was hurting but just wanted their father home.
Go to stuff.co.nz for more. descent; 43, of Sunia Tongan 56, is