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Maritime Police boat Deodar III came all the way from Auckland’s Mechanics Bay, up the Mahurangi River, to visit Warkworth, after several reports were received of a boat being piloted erratically.
Police say the boat was on a ‘prevention patrol’ following the reports, which concerned a male living aboard his own vessel.
“The maritime unit came up the river to assist in seeking a person of interest.”
Despite being a 30-tonne aluminium vessel, the Deodar III has a draft of only 0.75m, meaning it can travel on the shallow waters of the Mahurangi River.
It is also a jet-driven boat, so there is no risk of a propeller striking the bottom of the river.
Nevertheless, police say the work by the Mahurangi River Restoration Trust in dredging the river has been valuable in allowing police boats to assist in the area.
Warkworth Police say having access to marine resources is useful given the area has a significant recreational boating community.
In former times, the Warkworth Police Station was based on the Mahurangi River at Hamilton Farm.
