COASTAL CHARACTERS THE RANUI DISASTER BY BADEN PASCOE T
he loss of Ranui and twenty two of her passengers has to be one of New Zealand's most tragic boating accidents. The incident has been forgotten by many, but those who make the walk around the path on Mt Maunganui can see a little monument reminding us of the event. I only know of it because of my interest in maritime history, but for many families in the Bay of Plenty the event has not been forgotten and is still told to this day. So what did Ranui look like? I have been asked this question many times by people interested in small commercial boats. In fact, there is only one photo that survives of this practical looking little ferry that was launched on December 11th 1950, and wrecked seventeen days later on the December 28. Not a lot of opportunities for Brownie Box cameras! Looking at the photo she had that Lidgard look about her, and she would have been a sound little 45 footer with a survey to carry 140 passengers seated according to New Zealand Shipwrecks. However I doubt if this is correct. Her power was a Lister JP6 delivering 60hp at 1200rpm giving her a service speed of 8 knots. Ranui was to join the EG Williams fleet of Tauranga based charter boats that at this time consisted of MV Ratahi and MV Lady Bess. EG Williams was formed about 1928 by Gerry Williams, one of Tauranga's most well known watermen. So what happened? On the morning of December 28
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Ranui departed from the town wharf at Tauranga and then called into Salisbury wharf at Mount Maunganui to take on campers and leisure fishermen bound for Mayor Island. On arrival at the wharf some of the fishermen informed the skipper, Geoff Harnett, that the weather was too rough and they decided to give the trip a miss. However the campers and remaining fishermen
your family. If you go at low tide you can still see Ranui's engine block at the waters edge. Simply a beautiful place.
The site that marks the wreck of the Ranui and loss of life is a great short adventure for any family. I encourage you to take a walk around Mount Maunganui, stop at the site, reflect, and tell this story to
PHONE 09 419 1954 26 Professional Skipper July/August 2012
were still keen to make the 21nm trip across to the island. During the trip the weather and swell conditions were quite bad, but being on the nose Ranui handled it without much fuss. They arrived at the island about 11.45am, dropped off the campers, and decided to go around the island to known fishing grounds and give it a go. They in fact did this, but the stay was for about 15 minutes in total and they returned to South East Bay where the campers had disembarked. At 3pm they departed for home but by this time the weather had deteriorated even further. The Ranui was seen off the Tauranga Harbour entrance at about 5.25pm all going well, but making slow headway against the ebbing tide. Captain Harnett made a call to Tauranga Marine Radio to confirm his position and the operator McCurdy informed him the conditions were not good, but were workable. We all assume Captain Harnett could see what was going on from where he was and had decided to give it a go. As they were making their way to the entrance they encountered high seas, some say about 30 foot swells, and the little Ranui seemed to be going okay. Just as they were off North Rock a big wave mounted and the Ranui ran down it, buried her bow and over she went. For years some say she simply broached, but
The Ranui
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