WEST COAST BULK LOGISTICS’ self-propelled bulk barge Manahau will not be allowed to re-enter service until Maritime New Zealand, the classification society and flag state Nuie are satisfied with repairs and understand more about the cause of the vessel’s grounding.

The 6000-tonne barge stranded on Carters Beach near Westport on NZ’s South Island west coast in stormy weather near midnight 31 August and was retrieved 6 September by the Port Taranaki-based AHTS MMA Vision. It was towed to Nelson, assisted by Heron Constructions’ tug Kurutai which took over the tow to bring Manahau  into port, where it was assisted by local tugs.

The grounding has raised questions about the 98-metre barge’s suitability for its intended trade, conveying mineral sands from shallow-draught ports at Westport and Greymouth to offshore Nelson for transfer to bulk carriers, as well as the use of 11 foreign crew. Manahau had undertaken only one such voyage before striking trouble.

MD of WCBL parent WMS (Westland Mineral Sands) Group Ray Mudgway said a second scheduled 3000-tonne shipment would be taken by road to Nelson to be loaded. He thanked all concerned with the salvage.

NZ’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission is conducting one of several inquiries, saying it had issued a protection order to preserve and protect evidence. It relates to all electronic data from the vessel such as voyage and voice data, engine room logs, CCTV and logbooks and also involved also protecting onboard equipment including propulsion, power supply and anchor systems.

“The protection order prohibits any person from accessing the items listed unless permitted by the Commission. It doesn’t prevent the master and others from attending to the safety of the vessel, environment or people on board,” Acting Chief Investigator of Accidents Louise Cook said.

“The investigation team’s evidence collection work is broad at first to support the many routes that an investigation could follow.

“The initial focus is on gathering evidence that could disappear or change – including memories while they’re fresh in people’s minds. TAIC is also interested in the vessel itself, its individual history, performance, maintenance, equipment and design