Shipping news Seal blocks wharf

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 41

Shipping news Seal blocks wharf

A basking elephant seal caused a few headaches on the Diamond Harbour wharf yesterday morning. The young female seal first appeared on the wharf after the 8 a.m. sailing of the Diamond Harbour launch. A truck was used to move the intruder, which was blocking access to the wharf and causing a nuisance to passengers. A fisheries officer for the Ministry of Fisheries, Mr Doug Hixon, was called when the seal returned to sunbathe. He tried to coax the seal back into the water, but she reared and growled each time he approached. The seal remained on the wharf for about two hours, before shuffling back down the steps into the water. She was last seen swimming towards Purau Bay. Mr Hixon said the seal appeared to be in good health and was not distressed. Elephant seals can be dangerous if people get too close to them, or come between them and the water. "They look awkward and ungainly out of water, but they can move faster than people would imagine,” he said. ARRIVALS Coastal Trader (7 a.m.), 6736, Auckland (S.C.N.Z.). Satucket (3.30 p.m.), 18,245, Auckland (U.M.S.). DEPARTURES Spirit of Competition (4.45 p.m.) 1204 (Pacifica). Angeliki (11.30 p.m.), (Scales). J

EXPECTED ARRIVALS Greenwave, United States, today (6 p.m.). Amokura, Timaru, tomorrow. New Zealand Trader, Wellington, tomorrow. Spirit of Competition, tomorrow. Union Dunedin, Wgtn, tomorrow. Royal Viking Star, Auckland, February 1. Provincia De El Oro, Auck, February 1. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Coastal Trader, Auckland, today (noon). Satucket, today (11 p.m.). New Zealand Trader, Dunedin, tomorrow. Spirit of Competition, tomorrow. Amokura, New Plym, tomorrow. Union Dunedin, Dndn, January 31. Canterbury Express, Wgtn, February 1. Royal Viking Star, Hobart, February 1. VESSELS IN PORT Coastal Trader, No. 2 Berth. Pint, No. 4 East. Holmdale, No. 7 West Satucket, oil wharf.