THE MARITIME New Zealand (MNZ) investigation into the grounding of the self-propelled bulk barge Manahau off the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island on 31 August 2024 has resulted in some pointed findings.
MNZ noted primary failings as:
Manahau had been waiting offshore for several days for bad weather to abate before entering the port of Westport to load for operator WMS [Westland Mineral Sands] Shipping. WMS was the demise charterer of the vessel, from Singapore company WMS Barge GP Pte Ltd, itself a joint venture between WMS and the vessel procurer and previous operator StarHigh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The vessel had been refitted in Batam, Indonesia from September 2023 to May 2024 and was reflagged to Niue on 19 March 2024, prior to arrival in New Zealand on 19 July 2024 for service with a foreign master and crew, to the consternation of local unions. A Port State Control inspection found 34 deficiencies, seven of which were detainable. The detention was lifted 6 August 2024 and Manahau completed one successful voyage from Westport to Nelson prior to its grounding.
The MNZ investigation summary details the conditions leading up to the grounding, actions taken by the Indonesian master and crew to address the dragging anchor, and the vessel’s insufficient power to combat wind and current in the harsh weather.
It outlines failures and inadequacies in the operators’ and managers’ documentation, decision-making and policy-setting procedures.
“After careful consideration of the evidence and circumstances in this matter, we have taken regulatory action, issuing a formal warning to Westland Mineral Sands. We believe the response is proportionate given the facts of the incident and sets clear expectations for future compliance,” MNZ concludes.
The Maritime Union of New Zealand says the findings from the official inquiry show the vessel was unsuitable for conditions and have absolved crew that were blamed for the grounding.
National secretary Carl Findlay said the union and its members were not surprised by the findings.
“MUNZ stated from day one that the Manahau was an inappropriate, underpowered vessel for the rugged West Coast,” he said. “WMS previously attempted to ‘throw the crew under the bus’, by releasing its own in-house report to blame the crew for the grounding.
“WMS’s claim to be concerned for ‘its people’ has no credibility at this point; they have tried to weasel their way out of responsibility all the way.
“It is bizarre WMS had apparently accepted the formal warning from Maritime NZ but is continuing to refer to its own in-house report which contradicts the official findings.
“There are only two reports that count – the report from Maritime New Zealand and the forthcoming report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). These are independent and credible authorities.”
“The Manahau was a foreign-flagged vessel, operated by a foreign crew who were denied access to union support in the immediate aftermath of the grounding, and who were repatriated as soon as possible by their employers.
“A qualified New Zealand crew would have understood the treacherous conditions of the West Coast,” Mr Findlay said.
Manahau remains laid up under repair in Nelson. WMS has not issued any reaction to the findings on its website.