Scooting - if only!

This morning we had 2 taskings - the first being to a 4.5m Haines Hunter off Orewa, needing to go back into Waiwera. The Merc outboard was happy to turn over, but wasn't about to fire up. So a quick tow to the river mouth, then considerable care to take 6.5T of Kawau Rescue up the estuary on an outgoing tide without touching. All went well and we did make it to the ramp.

After exiting the river and collecting a passing log, we were then dispatched to a 50ft launch with a flat battery, anchored near Shag Rock, east of Tiritiri, .

It was a beautiful day to be scooting about on the water! But we were pretty sure that this was no time for scooting. On pulling up alongside, the owner vanished into the engine bay with our jump pack to try and coax 2 caterpillars into life.

Even one would have been good.

But no, everything was flat and scarcely turning over and the on-board generator wouldn't run either. The main problem then became the fact that the all-chain anchor system couldn't be retrieved without an engine running.

However, he was confident his solar panels would put enough life into the system to charge up (!), so we transported 7 passengers back to Gulf Harbourd and left the launch sitting on anchor.

Note: Lifting a full chain anchor system without a manual option is always a worry - especially if the weather changes.

We returned to Sandspit, looking for a reported "floating tree" east of Motuora on the way. We couldn't spot the tree, butwe advise you to keep an eye out if you are on the water, as there is quite a bit of debris floating about.

Thanks to Andrew S, Dave & Luke for your valuable time