International News

A degraded rubber expansion joint failed putting 864 people on board passenger vessel Kaitaki at risk, according to New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

TAIC has released its final report three years after the Interislander ferry suffered a blackout and loss of propulsion while carrying out a scheduled service between from Picton to Wellington.

The incident on 28 January 2023 left the ship drifting in strong onshore conditions towards Sinclair Head on Wellington’s south coast. The master issued a Mayday. The ship avoided grounding after anchors held and power was restored. Continue reading “Degraded part cause of Interislander Kaitaki blackout incident”

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released a report into an incident where several passengers were injured after a jet boat crashed into a canyon wall last year.

What happened

On 25 February 2025, commercial jet boat Discovery 2 was operating in Skippers Canyon, on the Shotover River, with 11 passengers on board.

Shortly after commencing the return leg of the journey, and as the boat completed a right-hand turn, its engine suddenly cut out. The driver immediately reset the ignition, but the engine would not start, so the boat had no propulsion and no thrust to provide steering control. Continue reading “Short circuit caused jet boat canyon wall crash in New Zealand”

A failed O-ring seal on a bulk carrier’s composite boiler unit led caused a fire costing more than $5 million dollars in damage, said an investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

On January 4, 2025, at about 2323, bulk cargo vessel Lem Verbena was docked at the Alabama State Docks on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama, with 19 crewmembers on board when a fire started in the engine room. Continue reading “O-ring failure caused $5.5M engine room fire on bulk carrier, says NTSB”

An Able Seaman died instantly after steel plates fell and struck him while on board Shaman Wisdom, said a safety investigation report by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.

What happened

On 5 June 2024, at 0800, the Bosun on board Shaman Wisdom instructed the ASD1 and ASD2 to select a suitable steel plate in the Forecastle Store to construct a step for one of the deck stairs. Both the ASD1 and ASD2 were wearing the standard PPE to work on deck, including a safety helmet, coveralls, and safety shoes. Continue reading “Seafarer died after being struck by steel plate says Marshall Islands”