The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an inquiry into the grounding of the barge Manahau on Carters Beach near Westport.

The incident occurred when the Niue-flagged, self-propelled barge, which had 11 crew members on board, was anchored outside Westport Harbour.

In poor weather conditions, the vessel’s anchors reportedly dragged, causing it to run aground on Carters Beach at approximately 11:45 pm on 31 August.

Louise Cook, the Acting Chief Investigator of Accidents, has appointed a team of investigators who are expected to be on site later today. “Getting the facts straight is vital, so our investigators will be inspecting the vessel, seeking and recovering electronic and other records, and interviewing vessel crew, Westport authorities, and any other witnesses,” said Ms. Cook. “We’re gathering all the usual evidence for the start of this sort of investigation – including voice and voyage data recordings and video footage.”

TAIC has encouraged anyone with relevant information to email them at [email protected].

To ensure the integrity of the investigation, TAIC has issued a protection order to preserve and protect evidence.

This order covers all electronic data from the vessel, such as voyage and voice data, engine room logs, CCTV footage, and logbooks. The order also protects onboard equipment, including propulsion, power supply, and anchor systems.

“The protection order prohibits any person from accessing the items listed unless permitted by the Commission,” said Ms. Cook. “It doesn’t prevent the master and others from attending to the safety of the vessel, environment, or people on board.”

The investigation team’s initial focus will be on collecting evidence that could be lost or altered over time, including witness memories while they are still fresh. TAIC is also interested in examining the vessel itself, including its history, performance, maintenance records, equipment, and design.

TAIC opens inquiries when it believes the circumstances of an accident or incident have, or are likely to have, significant implications for transport safety, or when an inquiry may enable the Commission to make findings or recommendations to improve transport safety.