Probe into ferry grounding begins

Full inquiries have been launched into the ferry grounding that stranded nearly 60 passengers at Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands yesterday.

Two safety agencies launched inquiries into the accident last night, with both dispatching investigators to the Bay of Islands this morning.

Two of the passengers on the stricken Fullers ferry told of their sea rescue last night - which came less than 24 hours after they arrived in the country.

Americans Kathy Schibi and Elizabeth Cannon, both 36, made their escape from the ferry with 60 other people, many of whom praised the crew for their professionalism.

Ms Schibi and Ms Cannon arrived from a two-week holiday in Australia yesterday morning and took a quick tour of Northland, including the cruise, from the airport. Both were due to fly back to Ohio tomorrow.

After leaving Paihia, the weather turned to strong winds and driving rain. The boat was heading back to port when the skipper detoured to show the Cape Brett lighthouse.

"As he was showing it to us we could smell something funny," said Ms Schibi. He radioed for help, and the crew handed out life jackets and ordering passengers to a lower deck.

Another catamaran responded to the SOS and came into the bay, attempting to reverse to the ferry. The skipper waved it off as surges made the attempt too dangerous - then turned the boat towards the shore.

"The boat kept hitting against the rocks because the waves were so big," said Ms Schibi. The skipper ordered ropes, and a female crew member leapt ashore to secure the vessel. She said she had been trained for emergency situations - and was now able to use her training. "She did a great job," Ms Cannon said.

Ms Schibi said: "The scariest part once you got onto the rocks was to make sure you held onto the rocks and each other so the waves wouldn't wash you out."

Passengers clambered across the rocks, pulling themselves up the cliff. Ms Cannon said she thought at first crew members were helping her, then realised the passengers were supporting each other.

The pair returned to Auckland last night, and are due back in Ohio for Christmas. "It overshadowed holding a kangaroo in Sydney, which was our other big adventure," Ms Cannon said. Kit Nixon, Fullers Bay of Islands boss, said the skipper was among the most experienced in the company. The ferry could be lifted from the rocks today, he said.

Captain John Mockett of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission said an investigator would begin interviewing crew and passengers this morning, and to inspect the ferry. He said an engineer could be needed to examine the motor.

Mr Mockett said the type of accident was a "rare occurence", expecially when the number of trips carried out by ferry operators across the country was considered.

The Maritime Safety Authority is sending two investigators to the scene this morning. Spokeswoman Heidi Brook said a full investigation would be done to find out how and why the accident happened, and to see if lessons could be learned.

Ms Brook said the skipper, crew and passengers would be interviewed, and a full inspection of the boat would be carried out.

Meanwhile, Search and Rescue controller Kelvin Petrie played down the drama, saying the conditions "weren't overly bad.

"It was just another day at the office for us. It wasn't terribly bad, there was no danger in being out there."

Passenger Ngaire Newdick from Auckland said the surging seas pushed the boat on to the rocks as a crewman was giving a commentary about the area's local history.

"Everybody handled it so well, from the Fullers crew, to the guys who put us in the helicopter and the St John team when we arrived," she said.

Joshua Kershaer told TV3 last night the port motor failed right in the middle of him talking about the lighthouse and the skipper began to try to control the boat using just the starboard motor.

He then called for help from a nearby boat.

By the time help arrived they were too close to the rocks to be able to pull the boat out so they secured it to the side by having the crewmen throw ropes and pull everyone off the boat one by one as the boat swung back and forth in the waves.

Fullers chief executive Kit Nixon said he was "very pleased" with how the rescue operation went.

- Herald on Sunday