Tour talk link to shipwreck

The Tiger III on the rocks. Picture/ Westpac Rescue Helicopters

A tourist boat skipper may have been too preoccupied giving passengers a running commentary to notice the craft was in danger of running aground in the Bay of Islands late last year, an inquiry has found.

The 21m-long, twin-hulled Tiger III was written off after hitting rocks near Cape Brett lighthouse on December 18.

All 62 people on board were evacuated to shore with a few receiving minor injuries in the process.

A Transport Accident Investigation report issued yesterday said problems began when one of two engines on the Fullers vessel failed to respond as it came close to rocks in marginal weather on a scenic tour.

In the report, the boat's master said he had stopped about 160m from the rocks before being told soon afterwards that unusual smells were coming from one of the engines.

Soon afterwards, while describing Cape Brett to passengers, the master noticed the port engine was doing only 500rpm and the boat was not turning as he had expected it to and was heading for rocks.

He called for another boat in the area to come to assist and tried to use the starboard engine to get out of difficulty, but despite rescue efforts involving a towline, one of the propellers on the Tiger III struck a rock and the towline pulled free.

The boat ended up grounding on rocks and the master sent a mayday message to Maritime Radio via another boat in the area.

The sea kept shifting the boat and pounded it against the rocks but crew were able to jump off and secure it to rocks with mooring lines.

Passengers were evacuated and led to a nearby lighthouse keeper's cottage where they waited about 45 minutes before helicopters began arriving to take them back to Paihia.

The report said the master may have noticed the boat was not responding properly sooner had he not been talking to passengers.

"Once the preconceived plan failed due to the port engine not turning the boat, there was no alternative plan readily available to the master," the report said.

It suggested he should have put the starboard engine to full ahead to turn the boat but the master said that would have been excessive for what he considered a minor problem at that point. It would also have been a brave move so close to the shore.

The report said tour commentary by the master needed to be identified as a possible hazard and noted in hazard registers.

- NZPA