Patrol boat kept watch for 60 years

• Author: Doug Laing
• Published date: 26 January 2023
• Publication title: Hawkes Bay Today

The Watchman was clinker-built for the club, with the hull appearance similar to that of a weatherboard home, and was launched on October 31, 1959

The following May 24, it was washed out to sea in the retreat of a tsunami generated by an earthquake across the Pacific in Chile.

Club members Bob Gunson and Bob Thompson were dispatched the following day and the boat was found and brought back to Napier.

Once back, it was pressed into use for numerous rescues of its own, in addition to the club roles of race-day patrol and, ultimately, start boat after the club moved away from starting races from its tower alongside Scapa Flow at the eastern head entrance to the inner harbour.

In 2008, it started the first race in the centenary year of world sailing body the International Sailing Federation.

But it has, over the years, outlived its usefulness.

There’s now a need to have a modern vessel with toilet facilities suitable for female race officers, and this was once a vessel with no women aboard.

There’s also no longer a need for space for the “big clock” and other space-fillers and functions now collectively replaced by an app accessed on a cellphone.

Besides, as wooden-hulled boats do, it’s had its leaking moments. However, these were overcome via a coating of more modern resins some years ago.

It’s been sold to Tauranga man...