Auckland storm sweeps away 20 boats
The first severe storm of 2018 swept 20 Auckland boats ashore, completely destroying at least one.
On January 4 the storm began lashing Auckland relentlessly for 48 hours.
Auckland’s Tamaki Drive, which stretches along the Waitemata¯ harbour, experienced storm surges and a king tide.
Auckland Transport (AT), which monitors vessels during and after storms, said 20 boats came off their moorings or had dragged their anchor during the storm, ending up washed on shore.
Despite the storm Parnell resident Rendell McIntosh said he went for his regular morning walk last Friday along Tamaki Drive..
While boats often came off their moorings along Tamaki Drive McIntosh spotted a boat called Drambuie washed up against the rocks, he said.
And when he went for his walk the next day Drambuie had been ‘‘tragically smashed to pieces,’’ he said.
McIntosh was disappointed and upset for the owners, he said. ‘‘I know how much people love their yachts and sailing, and it’s really upsetting to think this has happened.’’
Originally from Scotland Drambuie is a golden liqueur made from scotch whisky, honey, herbs and spices.
AT’s media adviser James Ireland said when boats washed ashore or had sunk the Harbourmaster team would attempt to identify and notify the owner of the vessel.
However, when boats - like Drambuie - were destroyed it was the vessel owner’s responsibility to clean up the pieces, Ireland said.
‘‘The Harbourmaster will become involved if a boat’s owner cannot be identified,’’ Ireland said. ‘‘If that is the case, the cost of removing the wreck will be passed onto the owner when they are eventually identified including the costs involved in identifying the owner.’’
Coastguard New Zealand’s communications manager Julia James said in storm situations Coastguard volunteers helped boaties secure their boats or assisted them to reach a safe anchorage if they were in trouble.
Coastguard volunteers could help with the salvage of a vessel but usually this was in a rescue situation where they had been tasked by the police, James said.
‘‘It's really upsetting to think this has happened.’’
Rendell McIntosh