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Tag: New Zealand

Jubilee

Jubilee

Jubilee
Photo: radionz.co.nz

The 16 meter long fishing vessel Jubilee sank off the coast of Canterbury, New Zealand. The three-man crew had contacted authorities that the vessel was in trouble and the crew was going to abandon ship into the vessel’s life raft.  A search and rescue operation was launched with two Coast Guard vessels, three commercial and several aircraft.  Search efforts were able to find the sunken Jubilee on the seabed in 40 meters of water roughly 20 kilometers off the coast.  Searchers also found the Jubilee’s life raft, but it was empty.  Search for the three missing crewmen was still going on.  The cause of the sinking was not known, but reports state there was bad weather in the area with large waves and strong winds reaching up to 70 kmh.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Tuhoe

Tuhoe

Tuhoe
Photo: stuff.co.nz

On September 27, the two-masted schooner Tuhoe ran aground near the entrance of the Waimakariri River near Christchurch, New Zealand. The Tuhoe was returning to its home to the Kaiapoi River from repairs in Lyttelton when it became stranded on the bar.  One of the 11 persons on board suffered minor injuries and no pollution was released.  A skeleton crew was left on board while the Tuhoe remained on the bar. The Coastguard was able to refloat the schooner on the following high tide.

Correction:

The Tuhoe suffered damaged overnight as waves caused hull damage. A survey found the schooner had sustained too much damage to salvage and the 96 year old was scrapped over the following days.

Ferry Kea

Ferry Kea

Kea
photo: stuff.co.nz

The 27 meter long, 341 dwt catamaram passenger ferry allided with the pier at Devonport wharf, Auckland, New Zealand.  The ferry was approaching the pier in calm conditions when it suffered a mechanical breakdown and struck the pier.  Reports state some 15 passengers and crew sustained injuries with 10 persons taken to hospital for treatment. The vessel sustained severe damage with a large gash in the hull above the waterline.  Authorities have detained the vessel while an investigation was launched into the incident.  No reports of pollution released. Witnesses stated they heard a loud bang when the ferry struck. Passengers stated they were thrown off their seats and fell onto the decks.  Many said they suffered only minor cuts and bruises from the incident.