Marsden Pt ship victims named

Emergency services leave the Marsden Point wharf after collecting two bodies from the bulk log carrier TPC Wellington. Photo / Greg Bowker

Police have named the two men who died on a log carrier at Marsden Point near Whangarei on Monday.

Deongchil Oh, 56, of Korea, and Thi Ha Aung, 33, of Myanmar, died after apparently suffocating through a lack of oxygen in the hold of the bulk carrier TPC Wellington.

A third man, a Korean who went to their aid, was pulled to safety by two more crewmen wearing breathing apparatus.

Several investigations into the event are underway, though police said their investigation has all but finished.

"We do the initial scene examination to ensure there's no misadventure and make sure there's no criminal element," Sergeant Ken Andrews of Northland Police said.

"Once it's determined there's an accident we just act on behalf of the coroner and prepare the file."

Mr Andrews said a post-mortem examination was due today but it was unlikely the results would be released while inquiries were ongoing.

Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigator Captain Iain Hill was on site for a second day today, conducting various interviews.

Maritime New Zealand are also investigating the incident.

Maritime Union general secretary Joe Fleetwood said a full investigation was required as it was the most serious incident in a New Zealand port for some time.

The Panamanian-registered carrier had come from Tauranga and was scheduled to depart today, though that may depend on Capt Hill's inquiries.

- NZPA