A skipper has escaped injury after a 13-metre aluminium boat caught fire in the Coromandel this afternoon.
Waikato Regional Council said maritime officers were working to secure the boat near Centre Island in Mercury Bay this evening.
It added while it is unknown how the fire started, the skipper discovered the flames before they deployed a life raft. The skipper was picked up by recreational fishers who saw the smoke around 2.30pm.
“A regional council harbourmaster vessel was deployed with three maritime officers on board, arriving at the scene about 3pm and setting up an exclusion zone to keep the public at bay.”
The council said the boat has holes in the side of its hull but remains afloat.
Deputy regional harbourmaster Hayden Coburn said: “We have spoken with the skipper and determined that he doesn’t require any medical attention.”
“We’re due to return to the scene with equipment to secure the vessel in place. Because there is a lot of acrid smoke coming from the boat, it’s not safe at this stage to set up booms around the vessel.”
“The skipper has been in touch with his insurer and will be working with them to arrange salvage of his vessel.”
The council said its maritime officers had been liaising with Coastguard, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Maritime New Zealand and Police.
