Transit from East Coast – 07/22/2016 – 12:46 to 16:32

At 1246hr a call was received from a boat on transit from the east coast.  It had previously contacted Maritime NZ on Ch16 but reception was difficult so was advised to contact Whakatane Coastguard on Ch80.  The vessel was a 12m launch which was low on diesel and needed 200 litre replenishment. The  vessel’s initial position was out to sea off Whakatane but a later position indicated that it was actually closer to Opotiki. At 1333hr Opotiki Coastguard was notified of the problem and provided diesel to the vessel so that it could get to Whakatane.  At 1557hr the vessel notified that it was five minutes from Kohi Point and would fill its tank at Whakatane.  At 1642hr the vessel was safely alongside the wharf and ready to top-up.