Shellfish warning
Beachgoers are being warned not to swim or collect shellfish at the north end of Tokerau Beach / Whatuwhiwhi after a pump failure caused a wastewater spill near the beach. An automatic alarm alerted Far North Waters Alliance team members about the pump failure on Tuesday. A crew was immediately sent to the station to clean up the spill using a sucker truck and to replace the pump. The sucker truck will remain on site until the station is operating normally again. Some wastewater did run onto the beach. However, the tide was out at the time, so it is uncertain whether any entered the sea. The affected beach area is also being cleaned. As a precaution, signs warning beachgoers not to swim or collect shellfish have been erected along the beach. Local hapū have been advised of the spill, as has Northland Regional Council and Te Whatu Ora. Water samples were taken and results will be known within 24 hours. Until those results are known, beachgoers are advised to not to swim or collect shellfish in the area.
Disaster averted
A near-disaster in the Bay of Islands was thankfully avoided late on Wednesday night. A 12m (40 foot) sloop hit an unchartered rock near Fraser Rock, by Russell’s Tapeka Point just before midnight. Coastguard’s Bay Rescue responded but the tide managed to lift the yacht off the rock. Coastguard volunteers assessed the boat for damage and found it had no water egress and was able to make its own way to shore. Coastguard spokesperson Georgie Smith said it was a great outcome for all involved.
Deaths referred to coroner
