Vessel takes on water after striking rocks

A 10m sloop with two men aboard was forced to abandon its voyage along the eastern coast of the North Island this morning after striking rocks near Bare Island, off Waimarama.

Police were alerted to the plight of the steel- hulled Meander just after 6.30 this morning and were told it had run onto rocks and had begun to take on water.

Senior Sergeant Mike Wright said the sloop initially developed a dangerous list, but a second call from the national search and rescue centre indicated the vessel had shifted away from the rocks, and that the use of buckets and a pump had lessened the immediate danger of sinking.

The Hawke's Bay Volunteer Rescue Coastguard sent its Naiad rescue craft to the area, and there was further "stand by" support provided by the navy's hydrographic research ship Resolution which had been working in the area.

Mr Wright said the Meander had been sailing south and may have stayed in Napier.

"It's pretty rough out there," coastguard spokesman Charlie Rycroft said.

The swells were up to 3m, with 2m of break on top of that.

Thirty knot winds were also sweeping the area.

Mr Rycroft said he expected the Meander to take about four hours to get to Napier.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY