• A fishing boat sank off Moturekareka Island on Tuesday night.
• Two fishermen on board made it safely to a nearby yacht.
• A crane barge is en route to recover the vessel, after warnings to not eat washed-up fish and be wary of debris.

A barge crane will recover a fishing boat which sunk off Moturekareka Island in Kawau Bay.

The boat was returning home when its skipper reported the vessel taking on water off Moturekareka Island, in Kawau Bay north of Auckland.

The fishermen turned the vessel towards land to investigate but the boat sank before they could do any more.

The public have been warned against collecting and consuming the dead snapper that have washed ashore following the vessels sinking. Photo / Summer Holmes

Auckland Harbour Master Andrew Hayton said a crane barge is on its way to the wreck and is expected to recover the vessel later today.

“A wreck buoy was placed above the location of the sunken fishing vessel in Kawau Bay on Wednesday morning to mark its position to passing vessels so they can keep clear,” he said.

The fishing boat departing the Waitemata Harbour in February last year. Photo / J O’Sullivan

Fish bins, nets and plastic containers had floated to the surface and washed onto the foreshore of Moturekareka Island.

“A contractor on behalf of the vessel owner’s insurance company has completed a clean-up of... debris,” said Hayton.

The vessel’s diesel and oil vents were plugged yesterday morning, which Hayton said would help prevent fuel leaks.

“No major diesel or oil slick has been reported at the wreck site,” he said.

Kawau Volunteer Coastguard was alerted at 8.49pm on Tuesday and got to the site in 35 minutes, thanks to a quick response from volunteers.

Upon arrival, a small portion of the trawler’s bow was visible above the water, amidst scattered debris.

The two fishermen aboard had already made it to a nearby anchored yacht.

The Coastguard transferred the shocked but uninjured fishermen to a waiting trawler.

Boaties have been warned to be wary of debris, including nets and boat parts.

A witness to the aftermath, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were several fish bins and plastic boards near the sunken boat.

The trawler with the fishermen still aboard, minutes before the vessel sank. Photo / Facebook

“The debris seems to be concentrated around the old wreck and the coastline along to the north. Lots of fish. Of course, we can only see what is floating.”

The witness said there was a strong diesel stench.

“The yacht that assisted the crew of the trawler last night [was] still in the bay advising people of the danger. The trawler is fully submerged.

“We saw the same trawler in the bay yesterday and it appeared to be slightly listing to starboard and heavy in the stern... I’m glad the crew are safe.”

Kawaru Coastguard skipper Paul Steinkamp thanked the volunteers.

“We were really impressed [with the response time].

“We have two types of callouts: regular and urgent. With urgent callouts, anyone who’s available responds, and we launch the boat as quickly as possible. To get the boat out and reach the location in 35 minutes is pretty much a record for us.”

The reason the trawler sank is not yet known.