Fishing Fatality

Disaster overtook the 35ft Gisborne crayfishing vessel Collena and her only crewman, Mr Roger Hogan, 25, married, when the boat was struck by a southerly buster when passing Sponge Bay on her return to port from Tolaga Bay.

Fears for the safety of the boat by her owners, C. Whitley and sons, were realised when a search party discovered wreckage washing ashore at Sponge Bay. Searchers maintained a two-day vigil (below) before Mr Hogan's body was discovered on the beach.