Three separate investigations – by police, Maritime NZ and TAIC were launched and today TAIC published its final report, which included four reasons why the accident happened:Watchkeeping standards on both vessels did not provide safe navigation and it is virtually certain that they contributed to the accident. As a result, they did not keep a proper lookout and did not see the Waitere crossing in front of them. Once the skipper of the Onepoto noticed the Waitere, they were too close to take action to avoid the collision. The skipper of the Onepoto was navigating the vessel at 20.5 knots. The regulator, Maritime NZ, engages in sufficient promotion of good watchkeeping and lookout practices via safety audits, guidance publications, and prosecuting where the rules are breached.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 09, 2024 22:48 UTC