Moves under way to salvage beached boat

Work was still under way late yesterday to remove a fishing boat stuck on the shoreline of a Christchurch beach.

The 13-metre boat Debbie Jane ran aground at Waimairi Beach on Saturday night.

Canterbury Harbourmaster Gary Manch said yesterday that Marinetec’s marine salvage and rescue team had started work to remove the boat and, depending on the tide, it was hoped it would be removed last night or today.

Police officers were called to the scene about 2 kilometres offshore from Waimairi Beach just after 11pm on Saturday, where the boat ran aground.

The Sumner Lifeboat, a Kaiapoi rescue boat and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Christchurch were sent to search for the stranded boat. It was spotted about 25 minutes later.

When they arrived a man was in the water, while another man and a woman were onboard the boat, which was ‘‘half tipped over and taking on water’’.

The trio were taken to Christchurch Hospital, two with serious injuries and one with moderate injuries.

A Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman said yesterday that all three people had been discharged .

Manch said there was still no indication as to what caused the boat to run aground.

He said previous reports that a small amount of fuel had ended up in the water were not correct.

‘‘The ship is completely intact and the fuel had been safely pumped [from the boat].

‘‘Any small amount of debris that might have been in the water has been removed,’’ he said.

Manch said beachgoers were free to swim at Waimairi Beach but were asked to stay away from the boat.