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A headstone for a dead sailor was unveiled in Bluff yesterday to mark one year since a boating tragedy in Foveaux Strait that claimed six lives.
The ceremony at the Bluff cemetery was in memory of Ian "Shorty" Hayward, one of the six on board the Kotuku who died when the vessel sank on May 13 last year.
Three generations of Bluff's Topi family suffered losses.
The Kotuku was returning from the Muttonbird (Titi) Islands, near Stewart Island, after picking up members of the Topi family and their muttonbird haul when it was struck by two rogue waves.
Leslie Christian Topi, known as Peter, 78, his daughter Tania Marie Topi, 41, and his two 9-year-old grandsons, Shain Jack Topi-Tairi and Sailor Roy Trow-Topi died, along with passengers Mr Hayward and Clinton Allan Woods, 34.
Kotuku skipper John Edward Edminstin, Paul Maurice Topi and Dylan James Topi, 16, managed to survive by swimming to nearby Womens Island.
Mr Hayward's widow Judy told the Herald the headstone unveiling was to be followed by a gathering of family and friends to remember her husband.
Mr Edminstin said the anniversary was "low-key", and people were remembering in their own way.
"We are soldiering on as best as can be expected. You can't turn the clock back now."
Members of the Topi family were not available to speak yesterday.
Mr Edminstin said they were keeping their commemorations private.
