24 May 2013

Authority investigating Auckland ferry collision

9:17 pm on 24 May 2013

Maritime New Zealand is investigating a collision between a commuter ferry and a water taxi near the Auckland ferry terminal on Friday.

The collision happened at about 8am, as the Belaire ferry Serenity approached the Auckland ferry terminal with 46 passengers and crew on board.

The taxi skipper, Bill Anderson, suffered facial injuries during the collision but no one else was hurt.

A Maritime New Zealand spokesperson, Steve Rendle, says the agency is issuing a detention notice for Mr Anderson's boat.

"This means that it is in a secure place, that no-one's going to start repairing any damage that may have occurred. It gives Maritime New Zealand the opportunity to look at all aspects ... whether the controls are functioning as they should be and the damage itself'; it allows a decent look at that."

None of the 46 passengers and crew travelling from West Harbour to the city on the ferry were injured but the collision left a hole in the side of the vessel.

Mr Anderson was treated at Middlemore Hospital.