22 July, 2013

Ngunguru channel entrance unsafe – harbourmaster

Safety concerns caused by rapidly shifting sands and exposed rocks have prompted a local authority decision to remove the navigation lights on the beacons at the harbour entrance to Ngunguru.

Jim Lyle, the Northland Regional Council’s Opua-based Regional Harbourmaster, says ongoing, large-scale movement of the sand in the area meant the lights no longer marked the actual channel entrance and they would be removed today (subs: Monday 22 July) to deter people from attempting to enter at night.

He says the current entrance is now dangerous and large sandbanks and the presence of rocks (some of them submerged) means only those with up-to-date local knowledge should attempt to negotiate it – and even then only during daylight hours and with extreme caution.

“Entering this channel at night simply should not be attempted under any circumstances as there is no obvious safe channel at the moment.”

Mr Lyle says dredging is not an option for a variety of reasons, including the fact the speed and volume of sand moving about in the channel area would very quickly render it pointless. Other factors included the potential cost and the lack of any real economic benefit, given to his knowledge there was no commercial traffic in the area.

He says the regional council will monitor situation over the next few months and review what other action – if any – it might take in time for summer.

Signs warning of the navigation hazards in the area – and of the navigation lights’ removal – would be erected today.

ENDS

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