Geisha Salvage Completed

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says the salvage of the Geisha, which went aground at Waimarama on Saturday June 13 after experiencing engine trouble, has been completed successfully.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says the salvor, Matt Hodson from Marine Maintenance and Engineering based in Napier, did a really good job.

“He put a lot of planning into what was a difficult task, and got the boat out without damaging it further and with no significant oil leakage into the environment,” said Bryce Lawrence, Regional Council’s on-scene commander.

The salvor made a sled and used a large forestry bulldozer and digger to get the boat onto the sled and tow it to the parking area. It will be put on a truck and removed later today.

A small amount of bilge oil escaped from the hull during removal, but this was expected and the Council oil spill team recovered it immediately from the environment. The residue oil will be quickly broken down by waves and bacteria in the sand.

There was some damage to the rock platform which was expected because of the heavy machinery that had to be used. “This will be a short term visual distraction on the beach, but the sea will soon smooth the soft mudstone out or cover it with sand in the near future,” said Mr Lawrence.