Bay of Plenty Regional Council is investigating an unmanned boat which has dragged its anchor and gone ashore on the southwestern shore of Motuhoura (Whale Island) near Whakatane.
Bay of Plenty Regional harbour Master Peter Buell said the sail boat Checkmate, a 47-foot ferro-cement pilothouse cutter, had been left unmanned sometime on Thursday. The vessel is now lying on its port side deck almost awash at low tide.
Mr Buell said so far there was no evidence of oil in the water in the environment, but some debris had been seen on the shoreline.
He said it would not be possible to remove the 600 litres of diesel on board until low water on Saturday, which was shortly before midday.