Key Takeaways
- A Black Cat Cruises vessel with 41 people on board was grounded near the Akaroa Heads, resulting in a fuel spill and evacuation of passengers.
- The vessel was carrying 2240 litres of marine diesel fuel and 120 litres of other oils, prompting a Tier 2 incident response and exclusion zone.
- A dedicated wildlife team is on standby to minimize environmental impact, and a recovery plan is being developed with the vessel owner, emergency services, and local community.
- The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an inquiry into the accident, appealing for witnesses and evidence.
- Passengers were evacuated safely, with nearby private boats responding first and transferring passengers to other vessels.
Introduction to the Incident
The Akaroa Harbour has been the scene of a dramatic incident, as a Black Cat Cruises vessel ran aground near the Akaroa Heads, resulting in a fuel spill and evacuation of passengers. The 17-metre boat, which had departed from Akaroa Wharf at 10:45 am with 41 people on board, got into trouble on its return journey, prompting a rapid evacuation. Dozens of passengers were taken off the vessel, which was carrying 2240 litres of marine diesel fuel and 120 litres of other oils in sealed containers and engines combined.
Response to the Incident
Regional on-scene commander Emma Parr declared a Tier 2 incident response, with an exclusion zone remaining in place to ensure the safety of responders and the public. A dedicated wildlife team is on standby, and response options are being closely monitored and assessed to minimize any environmental impact. Parr emphasized that all vessels not involved in the response must stay clear of the area, and a recovery plan is being developed in collaboration with the vessel owner, emergency services, the Department of Conservation, Maritime New Zealand, iwi, and the local community.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local skipper George Waghorne, who helped ferry passengers off the stricken vessel, described the grounding as a "freak accident" and praised the coordinated rescue effort. Waghorne, a seventh-generation local, assisted in transferring 29 people onto his boat, along with his four-year-old daughter. He noted that everyone worked together to get the patrons off safely, and the evacuation process went smoothly. American tourist Chris Friedman, who was onboard with his partner, told 1News that they felt a thud and initially wondered if it was a dolphin or seal strike. However, within five minutes, passengers were told to move into the interior of the vessel and don life jackets, and they soon noticed water coming into the boat and smoke in the galley area.
Investigation into the Incident
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an inquiry into the accident, with chief investigator Louise Cook appealing for witnesses who filmed or took pictures of the incident to come forward. The commission has appointed a dedicated investigation team, which will travel to Akaroa to carry out interviews and collect evidence. Over the next several days, TAIC’s investigators will be seeking and recovering any wreckage, securing electronic records, and interviewing witnesses. Cook emphasized the importance of gathering evidence and getting the facts straight, particularly in the early stages of the investigation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and emergency response planning in the maritime industry. As the investigation into the accident continues, it is crucial that all parties involved work together to determine the cause of the grounding and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The recovery plan, which is being developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, will aim to minimize environmental impact and ensure the safe removal of the vessel. With the exclusion zone in place and a dedicated wildlife team on standby, the focus now shifts to supporting the passengers and crew affected by the incident and ensuring that the Akaroa Harbour is protected from any further environmental harm.
