Ship explosion injures crew member

Maritime New Zealand is investigating an explosion on a ship off the Southland coast yesterday which injured a crew member.

Maritime New Zealand spokesman Lindsay Sturt said a compressor exploded early yesterday afternoon when the Adelaide Pearl was near the Auckland Islands, south of Stewart Island.

The ship sailed to Bluff Harbour where a man, who suffered chest injuries in the explosion, was taken to hospital.

His injuries were not life-threatening, Mr Sturt said.

Maritime New Zealand would today be interviewing crew members to find out what happened, he said.

The investigation could take a month.

- NZPA