The rising number of abandoned and derelict boats in Tauranga Harbour is becoming a costly issue, with ratepayers often footing the bill for their disposal if they sink.

Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said the problem was escalating.

In the last two months, the Harbourmaster team has already recovered three sunken vessels with another recovery currently underway.

“We’re seeing more and more boats left to deteriorate on their moorings,” said Peters.

“Each one of these vessels can cost anywhere up to $25,000 to remove if they sink, and when we can’t recover the costs from the owner, the community ultimately pays for this.”

The issue isn’t unique to the Bay of Plenty. Across New Zealand, abandoned boats are becoming a national concern.

Many of the vessels now causing problems were built during the boating boom of the 1960s and ‘70s and now decades later they’re reaching the end of their usable life.

“Some owners can’t afford the upkeep anymore. Others don’t have the skills or time to maintain their boats, and some just lose interest and walk away.

“Unfortunately, if those boats sink, they may become hazards to navigation, create environmental risks and become costly to dispose of.”

Derelict boat which sunk in Tauranga harbour. Photo / Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Severe weather events in recent years have only made matters worse. Boats that are already in poor condition are more likely to break free from moorings or sink during storms, creating urgent safety and environmental concerns in potentially hazardous conditions.

The Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster team manages 490 moorings across the region and annual inspections by the Regional Council’s marine biosecurity dive team have revealed that around 40% of vessels moored in Tauranga Harbour are showing signs of neglect, with no recent hull maintenance.

“This is a red flag,” said Peters. “Neglected boats are more likely to become derelict and, once they reach that point, the costs and risks of sinking multiply.”

Removing a sunken vessel is no small task. The cost depends on the size of the boat, the materials it’s made from and how difficult it is to access – especially if it has sunk in deep water.

“Even a relatively small boat can cost thousands to recover,” Mr Peters says. “We do everything we can to reclaim costs from the owner, but in many cases, they’ve disappeared or simply can’t pay. That’s when the cost lands on ratepayers.”

Peters urged boat owners to take responsibility before their vessels become a problem.

He warned that insurance was unlikely to cover the cost of removing a wreck, as it’s considered the owner’s responsibility.

The Harbourmaster team plays a critical role in managing the region’s waterways, which includes investigating and removing wrecks under the Maritime Transport Act 1994. The Act gives the Harbourmaster authority to act quickly in the interest of safety and the environment, and the ability to recover costs from boat owners.

“The Harbourmaster team will be looking to trace the chain of ownership of the boat to recover costs. It’s a warning to derelict boat owners not to try and on-sell the problem”

As the number of derelict vessels continues to rise, the Harbourmaster team remains committed to identifying responsible parties and pursuing all available avenues to recover costs, ensuring that the financial burden does not continue to fall unfairly on the community.