A boat riddled with leaks is being blamed for the vessel's rapid sinking off the Horowhenua coast, claiming the lives of two fishermen.
A Maritime New Zealand accident report says it is likely their aluminium dinghy went down in 20 minutes or less off Waitarere Beach, near Levin in March.
Investigations found water got into the back of the Viper 1 because a series of rivet holes had not been properly sealed.
The report shows do-it-yourself repairs, maintenance and modifications meant the vessel was not safe to operate.
It also found the boat had rotting marine plywood and an unreliable bilge pump.
