An investigation has been launched by Tauranga Harbourmaster after a container ship entering Tauranga Harbour was forced to alter its course to avoid hitting a small yacht.
Eyewitness Chris Cousins from Te Awamutu said on Sunday about 1.35pm he and his family were walking down the 4WD track on the Matakana Island side of Mauao.
He said as they walked along they suddenly heard a ship loudly sounding its horn in an intermittent "blast" went on for about one to two minutes.
"It was not something I ever heard before and as we rounded the corner I could see a little white yacht sailing along in the channel at the same time as the container ship was entering the harbour.
"Then I saw the ship suddenly take a hard right turn heading towards Matakana Island to avoid hitting the little yacht. The ship seemed to veer off its course at a funny angle.