Divers work to salvage sunk boat at Mount Maunganui

Tauranga's harbourmaster investigates a trimaran that sunk in Pilot Bay. Photo/John Borren

Divers are today working on a boat at Mount Maunganui which sunk yesterday.

The trimaran sunk on its mooring at Pilot Bay in the afternoon and was still underwater today.

A reporter at Pilot Bay said two divers could be seen investigating the vessel, several metres from shore.

Only the mast can be seen from a boat that sunk at Mount Maunganui's Pilot Bay yesterday. Photo/John Borren

No one from Bay of Plenty Regional Council could be reached today but in a statement released last night, regional on scene commander Adrian Heayes said staff were working with the owner to remove the boat.

Efforts to pump water from the wreck and re-float it were unsuccessful and abandoned last night.

"There is some sheen visible around the wreck but we expect only minor traces of oil remain as the vessel has been repeatedly flooded and then pumped out to prevent sinking."

Boaties are advised to take extra care to avoid the wreck in the Pilot Bay mooring area.