F69 scheduled to go down this weekend

Yes indeed, unless the wind gets up too much, this Saturday (12 Nov) at 3pm, the ex-Frigate F69-Wellington is going to be scuttled off the south coast, between Island and Houghton Bays (just to the East of Tapu Teranga - the island of Island Bay).

There's probably going to be a heap of people going down to watch the event, so take heed of the official advice regarding transport...

Motorists are urged to park their vehicles away from the coastal road and take a bus to Houghton Bay. Houghton Bay School is providing a limited amount of parking in their grounds and at Houghton Bay Park as a fundraiser for their new hall.

The Island Bay launching area and car park will be reserved for police and officials and closed to the public from 6am to 6pm on the day of the sinking. South Coast boat ramps are likely to be extremely busy and spectators should consider using other ramps.

Motorists are being warned to watch for pedestrians between Princess Bay and Island Bay, park legally and keep off footpaths and areas of vegetation.

No road closures are planned, but the Council will put up signs to warn residents to expect traffic delays.

For those of you heading out in a boat, there's a few more things you should be aware of - head over to the official site to find out just where the best place to view from the water will be.

UPDATE: Well, it's looking a bit iffy. The MetService Inshore Wellington Marine forecast (which I should have linked to in the first place, as Tom over at WellUrban rightfully points out) has this to say about Saturday...

Northerly 25 knots gusting 35 knots, easing to 10 knots in the evening. Rough sea easing to slight in the evening. Mostly cloudy with brief light rain in the afternoon.

If it's Northerly, it needs to get below 20 knots for the whole shebang to happen. Fingers crossed.