Unsafe fishing boat stuck in Mangonui

The stricken fishing boat after it was brought back to an almost even keel. Photo / Supplied

Maritime authorities have detained a fishing boat that came close to sinking at Mangonui wharf, after discovering a raft of serious safety and environmental concerns.

The Mangonui Fire Brigade was called to the town's wharf about 11am on Saturday after the fishing boat William R started listing dramatically when a large quantity of water entered its engine room.

When firefighters arrived the vessel was leaning on the wharf and almost too dangerous to board. Once it was established the leak was internal, from one of the ballast tanks, firefighters pumped the contaminated water into the vessel's starboard ballast tanks until it slowly righted itself.

An inspection by the Northland Regional Council harbourmaster on Sunday uncovered several serious faults on the vessel. Yesterday a spokes-woman for Maritime New Zealand confirmed the vessel had been detained under the Maritime Transport Act due to safety and environmental concerns.

"We are continuing to liaise with the local harbourmaster and operator in regard to its future operation," she said.

Harbourmaster Jim Lyle said problems with the vessel included a broken generator, oil in the fish holds, and basic safety equipment that was not functioning.

It would have to be slipped in Whangarei to get the faults rectified and its commercial licence renewed, but it would have to pass a survey before it was allowed to leave Mangonui. With surveyors busy at this time of year that could pose a problem for the owners, Mr Lyle said.

"We can't allow the vessel out to sea in the state it's in at the moment. There's so many things not working."

The lesson was that owners had to keep their vessels shipshape and properly maintained or they would not be allowed to operate off the Northland coast.

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, the William R is registered to Tauranga-based RMD Marine.

Director Marcus Rawlinson is out of the country and could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

The vessel, currently in use as an eeling boat, was still tied up alongside the wharf yesterday. It is thought to have been built in Whangarei in 1974.