Inquiry into ferry, motor launch collision

A collision between the Waiheke Island ferry and a motor launch, which left two men injured, is being investigated. File photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Two men were injured when they were thrown into the sea after their motor launch was in a collision with the Waiheke Island ferry last night.

The Fullers Quickcat ferry had just left Auckland on its way to Waiheke at 8.45pm when passengers heard a loud bang followed by an announcement over the loudspeaker there had been a collision.

The crew used searchlights to find the men who were pulled aboard the ferry which returned to Auckland.

Fullers chief executive Douglas Hudson said one of the most experienced Fullers captains was on board and he and other crew members had acted quickly and decisively to get the two men out of the water.

"They're well trained for these man overboard situations and from what I've heard they did everything correctly and got the men onto the boat as fast as possible."

Visibility was poor last night but it was still unclear what caused the collision, he said.

The men were taken to Auckland Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

The ferry was taken out of service for inspection and the passengers transferred to a later ferry.

Auckland Marine Rescue senior sergeant Craig Kennedy said the other boat, a 24-foot launch, was "a bit of a right off" but did not sink and had been towed to Okahu Bay, near downtown Auckland.

Maritime New Zealand said it was making preliminary inquires before deciding whether to launch a full-scale investigation.

In 2005, a 74-year-old woman was killed when a Fullers Quickcat ferry collided with a nine metre fishing boat in the same stretch of water.

The ferry's skipper was fined $5000 and ordered to pay reparations for operating a ship in a manner which caused unnecessary danger or risk to others.

- NZPA