Devonport ferry crash probe faults ship's master, Fullers' berthing system

A review of a ferry collision that injured 19 people in Auckland has found that the master of the boat was not properly trained and the company knew a newly installed berthing system was faulty.

Fullers' Kea ferry struck Devonport's Victoria Wharf at 16km/h in February, 2015.

Its starboard hull was significantly damaged and 19 passengers were injured, seven of whom needed to go to hospital.

The experienced vessel master, Lane van der Linden, had trouble with the Kea's automatic control system and had no control over the starboard thruster as he approached the wharf, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission report, issued on Thursday, found.

He tried to regain control manually and turn the Kea back to open water, but the ferry was unable to turn in time and hit the wharf.

There was no warning for passengers to brace and bench seating toppled forward, injuring people.

"The commission found that it was about as likely as not that the master lost control of the starboard propulsion system because he did not fully press the 'give-away' button on the centre console before taking control at the wing console," the report said.

The commission found the master had not been sufficiently trained in the new control system and Fullers knew there were faults with it, as it sometimes did not respond properly - it was recommended these deficiencies be fixed.

Fullers should also consider securing passenger seating, the report said.

In May, Fullers was fined $140,000 in Auckland District Court for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no action or inaction of any employee harmed another person.

- NZN