Five metre swell could hit island by noon

There was frantic pulling of ropes as fi nal preparations seemed to be underway yesterday for the Tiare Taporo to leave Avatiu harbour by the 5pm deadline imposed by harbourmaster Saungaki Rasmussen. However, by 5.20 the ship had still not moved and in spite of plenty of activity on and around it earlier, the vessel was still tied to the wharf when CINews left the scene. The Tiare Taporo was then the only vessel left in the harbour, the Layar Mas 291 and the police patrol boat Te Kukupa having departed for the lee side of the island before 5pm. The catamaran Clansman was also lifted from the water by crane. 18020944