Fire and Rescue Batemans Bay Hazmat crews were busy trying to contain the leaking of 120 litres of diesel believed to be onboard.

Fire and Rescue Batemans Bay and Batemans Bay Marina representatives said they believed the cabin cruiser, owned by a Canberra resident, broke from its mooring in the high wind, and drifted towards the timber walkway and became wedged under it.

“When the tide has risen, the boat has become trapped and water has got in,” senior firefighter Nathan Pascoe said.

“The automatic pump onboard the boat has not been big enough to pump it out.”

Batemans Bay Marina staff discovered the boat going under on Thursday morning and alerted the emergency services and the owner.

The yacht next to the cabin cruiser hit also hit the walkway in the high wind, knocking pieces off it. It has had to be secured to prevent more damage.

Fire and Rescue found the water up to the cruiser’s gunnels with they arrived with two vehicles and crews, and put booms around the cruiser to contain leaks. The crews are also pumping as much water as they can out of the vessel in an attempt to save it, but are up against it due to the amount of water it has already taken on.

“We’ve got two Davey Pumps and a big diesel pump getting water out,” station officer Gavin Bell said.

“It is going to be a difficult job for the salvage crew.”