Update: Stranded ship successfully towed into Port of Tauranga for repairs

Mauao walkers could see the stranded ship last Monday morning. Photo / Trent Sunderland

A stranded ship stuck in the Tauranga Harbour for more than a week has now been towed into port for repairs.

A Maritime NZ spokeswoman said log carrier Funing was now safely alongside at Port of Tauranga for repairs and further investigations to get under way.

"We had a Maritime officer on the water with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's harbourmaster and also had people observing from land," she said.

"It's been a collaborative effort over the last week to get the vessel back to port, thank you to all those who have been involved."

Further investigations and repairs on the ship could take up to 14 days.

About 12.30am last Monday, log carrier Funing, suffered an engine failure while leaving the Port of Tauranga.

Without power, it could not steer and while drifting it snagged the chains of a buoy marking the shipping channel.

The current and tide then pushed it to the other side of the channel where it stopped near Mauao.

The ship was helped by tugs and towed away to be anchored in deep water outside Tauranga Harbour.

A Singaporean-registered log carrier, Funing-9690913, has lost engine power in the shipping channel at @Portoftauranga. Port authorities have set up a response centre to manage the event and we have established a team to provide coordination and support. https://t.co/YIESIh2cln pic.twitter.com/Kc4eXFzOak

— Maritime New Zealand (Nō te rere moana Aotearoa) (@MaritimeNZ) July 5, 2020

Subsequent dive inspections had identified damage to the propeller and rudder.

An additional offshore tug, Pacific Runner, had arrived in Tauranga today to assist with the tow.

Further investigation and repairs can now begin. These could take up to 14 days, before Funing will be able to continue with the planned voyage to China.

We’re pleased to share that the log carrier, Funing, is now safely alongside at Port of Tauranga for repairs and further...

Posted by Maritime NZ on Monday, 13 July 2020

Dual investigations had been launched by The Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Maritime New Zealand.

The commission's investigation will focus on the causes and circumstances of the incident and the Maritime NZ investigation will focus on whether the rules were followed correctly.