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The grounding of a 100-tonne fishing boat in the Far North this month will be investigated by Maritime New Zealand.
The 20-metre Seawyf has been flooded and on the rocks since March 4 when it ran aground on Fair Way Reef at the entrance to Mangonui Harbour in heavy seas.
One of the crew rowed a small boat to another boat and the other two crew were airlifted off the next morning.
The boat was now considered a total loss but its salvage had been delayed by an apparent row between its owner, Te Rarawa Fisheries 2000 Ltd, and its insurance company.
Te Rarawa Fisheries had not long owned the boat and it only began fishing for its new owner last season.
The Far North Regional Council said the wreck must be removed from the reef.
Maritime New Zealand said today after its initial review of the grounding, it had been decided that an investigation would be held.
A spokesman said it was too soon to say if charges would be laid over the grounding but safety issues would be part of the investigation.
The grounding was the second for Seawyf in the last three years.
In August 2005, it ran aground at French Pass in the Marlborough Sounds. It had a rudder problem and was later towed off and repaired.
Soon after it ran aground this month the Northland Regional Council arranged for the diesel fuel to be removed to avoid polluting the sea.
The chief executive of the company which owned the vessel could not be contacted for comment.
- NZPA
