Trimaran Aground On Kaiti Beach

The 35ft Oamaru trimaran, Zeehaan, ran aground at Kaiti Beach last month when it hit the protruding rock shelf at low tide during the night, and drifted on to the beach with the incoming tide.

The four-man crew of the vessel, a New Zealander, Dutchman, Englishman, and Scotsman, were calling at Gisborne to pick up mail while en route from Napier to Auckland. None was hurt in the mishap.

The trimaran suffered superficial damage to its false keel, rudder, and prop shaft.

At low tide the next day, she was transported along the beach to higher ground alongside the Yacht Club, where she remained for three weeks while the crew carried out repairs and maintenance work.

The crew plan to sail the Zeehaan on a round-the-world cruise after leaving their next destination, Auckland.

The Zeehaan high and dry on Kaiti Beach on the morning of the mishap

Mobile cranes prepare to transport the trimaran. In the background is Tuamotu Island.

Crew member Geoff Moore and Dave Lamont read the headline news of their grounding in the newspaper.

Transporting the vessel along the beach

Two of the crew ride one of the streamlined outriggers during the move

Captain of the Zeehaan, Eissen Fissens (right), talks with a worker during the move. At left is the other member of the crew, Colin White, of Oamaru.

A grader assisted the two mobile cranes to curry the yacht up from the beach

All available hands were required to help weigh down the front of Monk Bros' mobile crane when the Zeehaan was re-launched into the harbour channel three weeks after she went a ground.

Supported by two mobile cranes, the yacht moves past the Cook Memorial on her way from Kaiti Beach to the harbour channel.

Back in the water again

The Zeehaan's three sleek hulls dip towards the water as she is lowered into the harbour

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 122 : August 13, 1964

Trimaran Aground On Kaiti Beach