A wharf cleaning machine and driver plunged 3m off a wharf into Whangarei Harbour during a night shift.
The driver of the small tractor with a sweeper attached to the front was able to swim clear and was hauled ashore by co-workers about 11.15pm on Monday.
![Back on land is a wharf sweeper that went for a swim in Whangarei Harbour. PHOTO/ John Stone](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4GZDVF4IHV67PYIVOGL445K2Z4.jpg?auth=2e343588b734864741eac1d2a6abdb1d74b0129ee5f5ed5dee20e6ea86e1f309&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
The wharf sweeper was part of C3, which is New Zealand's largest on-wharf logistics company.
In a written statement the company confirmed an incident occurred at their C3 Marsden Point operation where a machine operated by one of their employees went over the wharf into the sea.