Photo: RealNZ / suppliedThe recent grounding of a cruise ship in Doubtful Sound has prompted Southland regional councillors to discuss maritime safety in greater detail. On January 24, RealNZ-operated Fiordland Navigator ran aground with 67 crew and passengers on board who were forced to evacuate to nearby Deep Cove. During discussion at an Environment Southland meeting on Thursday, chief executive Wilma Falconer suggested councillors workshop the organisation's responsibility in relation to marine safety and bylaws. The report said the Fiordland Navigator would remain in Doubtful/ Thompson Sound until the end of the current season in May before relocating to Bluff for scheduled maintenance. An update on the cruise ship season said there had been 55 visits to Fiordland and 15 visits to Stewart Island with the last visit scheduled for 6 April.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 10, 2024 01:00 UTC