A tourist company is investigating a near miss between two ferries in foggy conditions in Foveaux Strait on Tuesday.
The vessels got about 80 metres from each other and were travelling at approximately 20 knots, with visibility between 100 and 150 metres, according to tourism company Real Journeys, which owns both boats.
Chief executive Dave Hawkey says the skippers of both ferries knew where the other vessel was, using the radar system, and each had a watchperson on the bridge, as required when travelling in fog.
Mr Hawkey says the company is trying to find out why the catamarans got closer to each other than they normally would.
Mr Hawkey says the skippers have written reports on the incident and Real Journeys staff were travelling to Stewart Island on Wednesday to interview them and their crew.
The vessels, which are 19 metres and 23 metres long, were each carrying about 40 passengers.
Maritime New Zealand will decide whether to investigate once it receives the company's report within the next few days.
