Maritime Safety New Zealand staff have arrived in Whakatane and have started investigations into the sinking of tourist boat off the coast of Whakatane yesterday.
White Island Tours' vessel, Peejay V, got into trouble around 4pm yesterday and a fire on board forced its 53 passengers and seven crew to jump into the sea or get into rescue boats.
A media statement from White Island Tours this morning said the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) had also opened an investigation and staff would arrive in Whakatane this morning.
Another media statement was expected to be released mid morning.