Steering – 02/20/2015 – 10:49 to

A 4.5m alloy boat with two people on board notified Whakatane Coastguard that it had steering problems 10nm off Kohi Point and 1.5nm east of Whale Island.  The boat was making way slowly but would need assistance navigating the bar when it arrived.  Later the boat reported that its engine had also failed and called for assistance.  Conditions were good with 5kt breeze from the south and low swell.  Whakatane Rescue with a crew of three was tasked to assist.  The boat was towed back to Whakatane.