The wreck of the Austro Carina fishing boat at Red Bluff near Shell Bay on the Banks Peninsula. Photo: Supplied / Environment Canterbury
- An investigation has found a fishing boat ran aground on Canterbury's Banks Peninsula because of inadequate watchkeeping
- The Austro Carina ran aground at Shell Bay in September 2023
- The boat was carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel and 400 litres of hydraulic oil
- The Transport Accident Investigation Commission says Maritime NZ and the vessel's operator need to improve watchkeeping standards and practices.
A fishing boat smashed into rocks off Canterbury's Banks Peninsula after sharply turning towards the shore while its wheelhouse was empty.
The finding was contained in the Transport Accident Investigation Commission's report, released on Thursday, into the grounding of Austro Carina.
The fishing trawler was carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel and 400 litres of hydraulic oil when it ran aground near a marine reserve at Red Bay on 24 September 2023.
The four crew abandoned the vessel, took shelter on shore, and were later winched to safety by a rescue helicopter.
The 25 metre vessel received extensive damage with its structural integrity deteriorating in the following days.
The wreckage also threatened endangered species, including little blue penguins, hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins and seals.
Wild weather which had battered the peninsula at the time also ripped a hole in the boat.
Salvage efforts stalled because of the remote and rugged coastline before an insurer hired a salvage company to remove the wreck.
The work occurred over January and February last year.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) launched an inquiry in the days following the accident. (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/498793/taic-opens-inquiry-into-the-grounding-of-the-austro-carina-at-banks-peninsula)
In its findings, TAIC said the boat stranded because there was "nobody in the wheelhouse monitoring the vessel's course, speed and position while the vessel was turning to starboard".
"The master was assisting the crew on deck at the time of the stranding.
"Had the master maintained a continuous navigational watch, it is virtually certain they would have adjusted the vessel's course and speed, avoiding the stranding."
The report said watchkeeping standards and practices on the Austro Carina failed to ensure safe navigation while the crew were fishing.
"While fishing, it was not uncommon for a master to step away from watchkeeping duties to help out on deck.
"The company's instructions to the master and watchkeepers were not explicit to require the wheelhouse to be attended at all times while fishing."
The commission recommended the vessel's operator Pegasus Fishing Limited review its safety management system and "take steps to ensure safe navigational watchkeeping principles are observed during all phases of the fishing operation".
The report said Maritime New Zealand's seafarer competency framework and the vessel operators safety management system prioritised collision avoidance over stranding and safe navigation.
"This increases the risk of watchkeepers on fishing vessels not always maintaining a safe navigational watch when fishing."
Pegasus has been approached for comment.
Maritime New Zealand response
Maritime New Zealand said it supported the commission's intent and focus on watchkeeping, but was rejecting the recommendation.
In a statement, the authority said its watchkeeping regulations aligned with international standards and its expectations were very clear in its position statement released in early 2024.
"For these reasons, we do not consider that changes to competency frameworks will have a significant impact on reducing the instances of watchkeeping failures," a spokesperson said.
"We will, however, continue to work in partnership with the maritime sector on improving poor watchkeeping practices through a range of different initiatives."
Watchkeeping continued to be a priority, Maritime New Zealand said.
"Watchkeeping is looking to see what is on the water around your vessel, such as other boats, the coast and hazards.
"Failing to keep watch has the potential to cause harm to those on vessels, others on the water near them, and the environment."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
