Unclaimed boats at Porirua may be part of wider cost of living problem

Unclaimed boats at Porirua may be part of a wider cost of living problem, with several vessels at Porirua Harbour threatened with forced sale if owners do not come forward. Northland Regional Council said abandoned boats are being observed beyond Wellington, potentially because owners cannot afford maintenance to keep craft seaworthy. Wellington harbourmaster Grant Nalder issued a public notice in May for four boats tied at the Porirua City Council poles in Onepoto, and only one owner responded by this week. The unclaimed boats included the Karehana, a wooden sloop about 12 metres long, and the Alana B, a double-ended sloop about 10 metres long. Under the Maritime Transport Act, the council can remove, store, sell or dispose of abandoned ships after “reasonable efforts” to locate the owner or registry port, with potential reimbursement from sale proceeds. Similar disposal followed in 2022 when Gisborne District Council handled an abandoned trawler near Tikitiki.