Whakatāne boat ramp re-opened

The Whakatāne boat ramp is now re-opened for use after flooding caused its closure.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Eastern Bay Harbour Master Brian Spake said that the boat ramp was now open after a massive clean up had been completed today.

“We are happy that conditions at the harbour entrance have moderated. The bar status is now workable with caution, so boaties are able to make use of the boat ramp and harbour,” Mr Spake said.

“Further settling of conditions is required prior to any sounding of the bar. In the interim, we advise all vessels with a draught greater than 1.4 metres to adhere to a restriction to navigation of two hours each side of low tide.”

Night navigation remains hazardous because of large amounts of debris within the inshore waters and the absence of illuminated channel markers.

ENDS