Contractors for Thames Coromandel District Council and local residents check Cooks Beach for rubbish and debris from the sunken boat. Photo: Thames Coromandel District Council
Coromandel locals are helping to pick up debris from a wrecked luxury launch.
The boat struck rocks near Motukorure Island in Mercury Bay last week, and sank with 1300 litres of diesel on board.
The skipper and passenger escaped and the vessel was later towed to Cooks Beach.
Thames Coromandel District Council reported that a salvage company had attempted to refloat the boat so it could be taken to the marina in Whitianga and then removed.
The attempt was thwarted, however, as the bow and stern were already starting to break up.
"The only option was towing the boat to the nearest point where trucks and a digger could access the shore to dispose of it, which was Cooks Beach.
"That decision has meant more than 1000 litres of diesel has not spilled into the sensitive marine environment."
The council said the salvage company was going to Cooks Beach after high tide each day, to pick up small pieces of debris that washed up.
A small amount of boat debris collected by contractors for Thames Coromandel District Council after a vessel sank last week. Photo: Thames Coromandel District Council
They had also been snorkelling along the shore to collect any debris on the seabed.
The council thanked local residents who had been picking up rubbish from the beach, including debris from the sinking.
The clean-up would continue "for another week or so", it said.