Boatie won’t budge

A boatie at the centre of a police incident earlier this week is camping at the scene, defying council bylaws preventing waterside freedom camping.

The man’s yacht has partially run aground 5 metres short of the beach at Days Bay in Lower Hutt and its contents have been spread across the foreshore.

Some of the items – an inflatable boat, kayak, books, sails, an umbrella, clothing, outdoor gear and a push-bike – are heaped in piles on the beach. Others – shoes and floorboards from the boat – are laid out on the sand.

Hutt City Council spokeswoman Caryn Ellis says the yacht’s owner is in breach of local bylaws by camping in a council reserve.

‘‘Officers are reviewing the current situation and considering options, which include issuing a further notice to this person [and] providing advice on where they can legally camp.’’

The yacht dropped anchor at the popular swimming beach on Tuesday and was the centre of a police response the same day, with a man on the boat briefly detained.

Greater Wellington Regional Council harbourmaster Grant Nalder said moving the stranded boat was the owner’s responsibility. ‘‘The owner is with the boat and adamant that is where he wants to be.’’

He said the vessel was in a precarious position with winds due to pick up in the coming days. ‘‘It’s partially at anchor and partially aground. It’s not ideal.’’

The yacht and its owner had previously been moved on from Lowry Bay Wharf.