Maroa 3's Journey and Our Summer Draw Winner

Our Summer Prize Draw wrapped up at the end of January, and we are now delighted to announce that the $3,500 prize was gratefully picked up by Peter – a Mariner customer from Dunedin and a true ocean enthusiast.

Peter chose to take the prize as cash over the Sydney trip. He intends to use this towards ongoing costs to keep his boat safe and in good order for his blue cod fishing trips with his son.  

“Getting the Maroa 3 to a sea-worthy condition has been expensive. We had to repair several major petrol leaks from carburetors, and we invested in a new GPS.”

Peter’s affinity to the ocean and the story of his boat is close to the heart of what it’s all about for a lot of us Kiwis.

The Maroa 3 - A family legacy 

The Maroa 3 is a sturdy 14ft Fyran that's seen its fair share of action and is now prepped for plenty more. It carries with it a legacy of family, friendship, and the joy of fishing.

The boat was inherited by Peter from his father-in-law - a well-known figure in his local community in the Coromandel, and a keen fisherman.

“We have so many fond memories of fishing, dragging for scallops and diving and spearfishing off the boat around the nearby islands with my father-in-law.”

The boat had only been used in the Hauraki Gulf up until a few years back when Peter moved it south 

“I brought the boat down to Dunedin in ’22 and with my son, we have been learning the captain’s responsibilities by exploring the Otago Harbour and very cautiously the open ocean.” 

Peter and his son manage to hit the water about once a month. Their focus is fishing for Blue Cod, blending family time on the water with the thrill of the catch.

Safety first around Otago’s challenging conditions

Exploring the Otago Harbour and venturing out to the open ocean has come with its share of learnings.

“As Captain, taking responsibility for safety is paramount. Our first few outings with Maroa 3 in the Otago Harbour were frightening at times but provided some excellent learning experiences.  

Since owning the boat, the importance of leaving nothing to chance has been driven home on several occasions… a check list is vital.”

An enduring love of the ocean

Peter’s love of the ocean was founded on a passion for surfing which has stayed with him.

“I have been passionate about a range of aquatic pursuits throughout my adult life. Surfing first and foremost – I’ve surfed most of the NZ coastline as well as in other parts of the world.”

Peter’s affinity with the water includes a wealth of water-based pursuits beyond surfing 

“I love snorkelling and spearfishing, fly fishing (including overnight stays on a good friend’s boat on Lake Tarawera in mid-winter), as well as rafting and exploring some of NZ’s remote rivers and streams in both islands, wake surfing… Being out and about on the water helps me to relax and refresh from my demanding professional career.”

At Mariner Insurance, we're all about making sure Kiwi boaties like Peter can focus on what they love – being out on the water – with the peace of mind that we've got the practical stuff sorted.  

Whether your thing is blue cod fishing or blue water sailing, get a quote specific to your needs.