Maritime NZ investigating freight ship anchored off Mount Maunganui after ‘mechanical difficulties’ while leaving Port of Tauranga

The MV Achilles Bulker anchored off Mount Maunganui. Photo / Alex Cairns

An exclusion zone has been set up around a freight ship anchored off Mount Maunganui and unable to move due to mechanical difficulties.

The MV Achilles Bulker, a log vessel bound for China, experienced mechanical difficulties when leaving the Port of Tauranga last week, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council said in a statement on social media.

The Achilles Bulker is anchored off the coast of Mount Maunganui.

The Bay of Plenty harbourmaster had imposed a 50-meter exclusion zone around the ship, which is safely anchored about 6.5km off the coast of Mount Maunganui beach.

The exclusion zone would remain in place while the vessel was anchored for the safety of boaties, the post said.

The statement said the harbourmaster expected to be in a position to remove the zone early this week.

Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said the incident was under investigation by Maritime New Zealand.

He confirmed the ship had been anchored since late Monday last week, and the vessel was anchored 6.5km from the shore.

He said there were no safety concerns regarding the situation, and there was no impact on shipping traffic or marine life.

“With regards to the initial response and details around what happened, this matter is under investigation by Maritime New Zealand.”

Peters said a “number of parties” including Maritime New Zealand, the owner of the vessel and the Port of Tauranga were meeting today for an update from the owner of the vessel, including expected timeframes and the best way forward.