August 1998 Northland Heavy Seas
(
1998-08-18
)
Three fishermen were drowned in heavy seas and high winds in the Bay of Islands.
Northland
Multi Hazard
at
Northland
Duration: 1 day -
Maritime / Coastal
at
Bay of Islands
Three fishermen (aged 45, 58 and 22 years old) of the 'Endeavour III' were drowned in heavy seas on the 18th, and their bodies were never recovered. The last communication with them was at 8:40pm when they were about 20 miles off Opua.
The waves were rising, with a maximum wave height of 6 m.
High Wind / Gust
The wind was easterly, at a speed of 35-45 knots (65-83 km/hr), blowing into a northerly swell, creating confused, rough seas.
A Gale Warning had been in force for the sea area around Cape Brett since the 17th.
References
- Headline: Even the toughest fishermen don't always make it.
- www.nzherald.co.nz, 8 July 2000.
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