Mystery over sinking fishing boat

The INXS will be refitted in Warkworth and put back to work. Photo / APN

As light broke, it was clear all was not well for the vessel named INXS.

The boat had taken on water overnight and was nearly submerged on one of the moorings closest to the Tutukaka Harbour entrance.

The water had caused the boat to list towards its starboard side, with its bow well covered by the incoming tide.

Fortunately, a crew working on rebuilding some parts of the marina on Wednesday morning was able to tow the boat to near a wall, where a crane was used to lift it ashore.

It was then propped up on supports.

The reason the commercial fishing boat was sinking on its mooring at Tutukaka Marina is still being investigated.

Owner Dave Moore said he was heartbroken to see the vessel he built 20 years ago sinking. Skipper Jacob Drake broke the bad news to his boss.

"He was very apprehensive about telling me and very quiet," Mr Moore said.

The crew had been long-line fishing for snapper on Tuesday, unloaded their catch and moored the boat.

The plan had been to head out fishing again on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Moore said the boat fished out of Tutukaka from time to time and had previously been based out of Marsden Cove and Leigh.

A few fish bins and a life ring had floated off the deck as INXS slowly sank, but they were recovered.

"It's upsetting but the main thing is no one was hurt and now we just have to determine what caused her to sink," Mr Moore said.

An insurance assessor has looked over the boat but Mr Moore said there were no obvious signs as to why the vessel had started to slip under water.

He said the boat would be trucked to Warkworth where it would be refitted and put back out to sea.

"We want to get back out there fishing as soon as we can."

- APN