Investigation finds Manahau sentencing could have been avoided

Photograph: RNZ/Samantha Gee

An investigation found: Grounding of Westland Mineral Sands barge Manahau The incident at Carters Beach in August could have been avoided.

The company has completed its independent investigation into the incident, led by Tim Burfoot, the former chief investigator for the Transport Accidents Inquiry Commission.

The barge ran aground near Westport due to the storm. It was refloated six days laterbefore retreating back to Nelson.

Manahau He arrived on the West Coast in mid-August to begin transporting mineral sands mined at Cape Foulwind from Westport to Nelson.

Burfoot’s investigation found it was fit for purpose, equipped with the necessary capabilities and appropriately supported by the company’s onshore management team.

Although weather and sea conditions were accurately predicted and sufficient information was available to make informed navigational decisions, the grounding could ultimately have been avoided.

Their findings showed that better decision-making by the crew at several key points during the incident could have prevented the ship from running aground.

Mike Stewart, general manager of West Coast Bulk Logistics, said most of his 11 transport staff have now returned home and Manahau It remained anchored in Port Nelson.

“The repair plan has been submitted to the international certification body RINA and the required work will take approximately a month once the ship is dry-docked. Procuring replacement propeller drives will take several months.”

Both Maritime Union and Merchant Services Union voice concerns about the welfare of the Indonesian/Burmese crew on board.

WMS Group managing director Ray Mudgway said there were important lessons to be learned from this foundation and operational insights would be used to strengthen future decision-making.

He said the company was “deeply disappointed” that a preventable incident had delayed plans to export mineral sand directly from the West Coast and was working to turn around. Manahau entered service.

“We have full confidence” of Manahau “We maintain our ability to provide a sustainable coastal shipping service along the West Coast and remain committed to the restoration of West Coast ports, which we believe are crucial to unlocking regional resources and enabling the movement of both outbound and inbound cargo.”

Investigations by Maritime NZ and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are ongoing.

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