Environment Canterbury says the Black Cat Cruises vessel which grounded in Akaroa Harbour yesterday sustained "more significant damage than originally anticipated", and likely lost all marine diesel fuel it was carrying.
Dozens of passengers were taken off the 17-metre vessel Saturday after it was grounded just inside the Akaroa Heads.
The boat had departed Akaroa Wharf at 10.45am with 41 people on board, before getting into trouble on its return journey.
Earlier today, Environment Canterbury said the boat was carrying 2240 litres of marine diesel fuel on board and around 120 litres of other oils in sealed containers and engines combined.
"Initial assessments undertaken this morning show the vessel has sustained more significant damage than originally anticipated it is likely that the full amount of marine diesel fuel that was on the vessel has been released to the sea," it said this evening.
Regional on-scene commander Emma Parr said a light fuel sheen was visible on the water this morning surrounding the vessel.
"Observations are showing us that the environment is coping with the release of this fuel, with sheens decreasing throughout the day," she said.
"Wildlife specialists are on standby, and precautions are in place to mitigate any potential impacts to the surrounding environment. No wildlife in distress have been observed at this time," she said.
Earlier, boaties were warned to keep away from the mouth of the Akaroa Harbour, where an exclusion zone had been established after a Tier 2 incident response was declared.
"All vessels not involved in the response must stay clear of the area to ensure the safety of responders and the public," Parr said.
"A recovery plan is being developed as we continue working alongside the vessel owner, emergency services, the Department of Conservation, Maritime New Zealand, iwi, and the local community."
Black Cat Cruises moves to recover boat
In an update this evening, Black Cat Cruises said online it had turned its attention to the recovery of the vessel.
"From our initial assessment of the damage this morning, that damage was worse than anticipated," it said.
"We have been working closely with the relevant authorities and a salvage team to come up with a plan that is safe while also minimising the potential environmental damage.
"The first phase of this is likely to include moving the vessel to deeper water where it can be submerged to protect the structural integrity of the vessel rather than leaving it to the mercy of the wind and sea.
"Once this is complete, we will then move into phase 2 which will include the lifting and removal of the vessel."
Local skipper George Waghorne said the grounding was a “freak accident” and praised the coordinated rescue effort.
Waghorne, a seventh‑generation local, helped ferry passengers off the stricken vessel in a small tender alongside his four‑year‑old daughter, before transferring 29 people onto his boat.
“Everyone worked pretty hard together and did a great job getting the patrons off,” he said. “It all went pretty smooth.”
TAIC inquiry into grounding
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) announced yesterday it had opened an inquiry into the accident.
Chief investigator of accidents, Louise Cook said the Commission was appealing to any witnesses who filmed or took pictures of the 17-metre commercial passenger vessel during the incident to come forward.
"Getting the facts straight is vital, so we’re keen to hear as soon as possible from people who were on this vessel and anyone who saw the accident, and we’re particularly keen to receive videos or photographs," she said.
The commission had also appointed a dedicated investigation team, who would be travelling to Akaroa to carry out interviews and collect evidence.
"The initial focus is on gathering evidence that could disappear or change – not just flotsam from the impact, but also memories while they’re fresh in people’s minds," said Cook.
Over the next several days, TAIC’s investigators will be seeking and recovering any wreckage where possible, securing electronic records – including photos, videos, and location data on people’s cellphones – and interviewing witnesses.
American tourist Chris Friedman told 1News he was onboard with his partner and enjoying the dolphin‑watching trip when they suddenly felt a thud.
"At first we wondered if it was a dolphin or a seal strike."
Within five minutes, passengers were told to move into the interior of the vessel and don life jackets.
“At that point we noticed water coming into the boat, then we started to see smoke in the galley area," he said.
Nearby private boats responded first. Friedman said passengers were transferred one group at a time, while some remained onboard during the early stages of the evacuation.
He and his partner were shaken but unhurt.
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