‘Ticking time bomb’ yacht to go

A yacht in Riverton, which some residents fear could pollute the harbour, is to be removed.

The 36-foot yacht is tied to a Southland District Council owned wharf at Riverton, after it was towed several months ago by annoyed locals who considered it abandoned.

Commercial paua diver Robbie Williams said it was a ticking time bomb of pollution.

At low tide it was not draining, and the engine room and gear box were underwater, he said.

Williams said he was stoked the boat was going to be removed.

‘‘It’s a disgrace to the Riverton community.’’

Southland harbour master Lyndon Cleaver said the yacht was not abandoned as they knew who owned it.

However, Cleaver said it had been incredibly frustrating getting a hold of the owner, James Hamilton, and the Southland District Council said repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.

Hamilton confirmed the council had not contacted him.

When asked if he would help remove the boat and pay the costs, Hamilton said he would wait to see if the council contacted him.

The other boat owners should not have towed it to a different wharf as they did not own it, he said.

Harbour master Cleaver said the yacht would be removed by the council in the coming weeks, either using a trailer or a crane.

Cleaver said he inspected the yacht recently, and it was not leaking contaminants and did not believe it was in immediate danger of sinking.

Costs of removing it had yet to be determined.