The boat, which is owned by the Hokonui Runanga at Gore, hit rocks in Foveaux Strait about 3am on Friday. The skipper and two crew were rescued by the Bluff Coastguard. Hokonui Rununga director Terry Nicholas said yesterday Ayson was towed back to Bluff on Tuesday and lifted from the water yesterday morning using one of the port's cranes.
He was given permission to transport it to vacant land at the back of the port where it would be placed temporarily for assessment and possible repair. Mr Nicholas said the hull had been damaged and insurance assessors would inspect it today to decide whether it was worth repairing.
One of the the rununga's concerns was making sure the crew found alternative work, he said. Three had been found jobs ''and it looks like there will be job for the third in two or three weeks''.
