KEY POINTS:
The retirement dream of former dairy industry heavyweight Graham Calvert is now high and dry after his 12.2m launch, worth at least $350,000, hit rocks and sank in the Hauraki Gulf.
Mr Calvert was rescued after his boat Crystal Clear, a Genesis 400 Flybridge, struck a reef near Crusoe Rock.
His was one of 20 Boxing Day callouts for the Coastguard.
Yesterday, a 12m launch hit Brazier Rock, directly off the entrance to Puhoi River, as the owner was going into the river to collect his wife about 2.40pm.
Although he was unhurt, the boat was still stuck firm on the rocks. The Coastguard was unable to dislodge it, so had propped it up until a salvage company could remove it.
A spokeswoman said if he had been 20m to either side he would have made it through the river mouth - it is understood the man was unfamiliar with the waters.
"He was all right, but a bit shaken as owners are when their boats get stuck on rocks."
Mr Calvert said last night that he was alone when his boat hit the reef between Waiheke Island and Motuihe, leaving just its bow and part of the cabin above water.
"It took about 10 seconds, so you don't have time to be afraid," he said. "I would like to say the Coastguard performed marvellously. The whole team was good to me."
Crystal Clear was yesterday in the boatyard at Pine Harbour Marina, east of Auckland, after being pumped out and towed back.
Aucklander James Marshall was fishing nearby and saw the boat with only its bow and part of its cabin visible.
"It was a beautiful boat - looked like someone's Christmas present," he said.
Mr Calvert had the launch custom-built after he retired in 2000.
Crystal Clear was his first boat, a long-planned part of his retirement from a business life including directorships on the NZ Dairy Group, the Dairy Board and the Federated Farmers executive.
"I just take my family out on different days. I have heaps of grandchildren and they all want to have a go," he said.
It was too early to say what Crystal Clear's fate would be or how extensive the damage was.
"That is one of the debates I have in my own mind. When I bought it I was about 65 and now I'm 72. So you have to think about those things."
He told a boat magazine in 2000 that he chose it because it was comfortable enough for him and his family's needs but could be handled without an experienced crew.
The incident was one of 228 jobs for the Coastguard so far this month, compared to 217 for the whole of December last year.
"There's been a lot of mechanical problems with people taking the boat out for the first time," said spokeswoman Joanne Ottey.
"Everyone wants to get out there, but make sure you've got safety equipment on board and a means of communication."
