The 14m VIP Barge was commissioned by the Navy in 1980. Twitpic / Kate Malcolm
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says he wants some hard answers after a Navy vessel struck rocks in Northland this morning, and has described the incident as an "embarrassment''.
The 14m launch, VIP, took on water after hitting rocks off Tutukaka, Northland, about 7am.
All three crew members on board were
safe and managed to get off the vessel.
The Navy said the damage was being assessed, and an investigation into the cause was underway.
Speaking to media this afternoon, Dr Coleman said there had clearly been some error in judgement.
