But for one ill-fated vessel, the quest turned perilous when it collided with a rogue log, sending it to a premature watery demise.
Neil Price, the mastermind behind the club’s annual extravaganza, revealed that the mishap struck like a scene from a thriller around 3.30 pm. The boats were making their return, loaded with the day’s catch, ready for the evening’s festivities and prizegiving, when disaster struck.
The Port of Napier turned into a hive of heroics as numerous boats, including port pilots and tugs, swept into action. They were amidst guiding the behemoths of the sea – including the luxurious cruise liners Ovation of the Seas and Carnival Splendor, teeming with 7000 passengers eager for adventure – when they diverted to execute a daring rescue.
Henry van Tuel, skipper at Coastguard Hawke’s Bay, reported a nail-biting rescue operation. The fisherman’s guardian angels took the form of the port vessel Pania and several quick-thinking recreational fishers. They whisked the fishermen to safety, demonstrating the unbreakable bond within the seafaring community.
The drama reached its climax as the Coastguard’s trusty steed, the Celia Knowles, battled the elements to secure the submerged vessel, with plans to tow it ashore. Even as the sun dipped below the horizon, the sea held onto its prize, with divers working tirelessly to keep the boat afloat using inflatable lifelines.
Amidst the chaos, the port was whipped into a frenzy by “extreme wind,” challenging the mettle of the three operational tugs as they danced with five mighty vessels, including two log ships and a container ship, ensuring the safety of all souls on board.
The vessel at the heart of this saga, known as the Trident, a wooden-hulled beauty that has been a stalwart of the club for four decades, now finds itself at the centre of a tale of survival against the odds.
As the dust settles, the Megafish 2024 continues to reel in stories of triumph, with over 500 rods vying for glory. The tournament has already seen the capture of excellent specimens of blue marlin, striped marlin, and a monstrous 104.8kg big-eye tuna, adding to the lore of this unforgettable event.
