Inquiries & Recommendations

Ngā ketuketutanga me ngā tūtohunga

On Sunday 24 April 2005 at about 1150, the coastal passenger and freight ferry Arahura was approaching the entrance to Tory Channel while on passage between Wellington and Picton when it sustained a major loss of propulsion power. The Master was able to abort the entrance into Tory Channel and con the ship safely back into open water where the Arahura remained until power was restored. The Master then conned the ship to Picton, via the northern entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound, where repairs were effected to one of the diesel generators. Safety issues identified included:

On Saturday 17 April 2005 at about 1205, the Black Cat with a Master, a deckhand and 31 passengers on board was on a cruise around the lower reaches of Akaroa Harbour. As they approached the shore in Seal Bay, the Master put both engines astern, but a control failure caused the starboard engine to go ahead and the boat to collide with the natural rock wall. The impact was such that the bow bounced off, which allowed the boat to continue back into clear water.

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On Friday 1 April 2005, Train 2100 was a scheduled empty passenger service being positioned to Waitakere to start passenger operations for the day. At 0627, soon after the train had passed through Ranui station, the coupling between the locomotive and the guard’s van parted. As a result of the parting, the automatic brake system lost all air pressure and brought the train to a stop.

[Investigation incorporated in report 04-130. Please refer to that report.]

[A preliminary investigation showed that the circumstances were not likely to have significant implications for transport safety. Consistent with section 13 of the TAIC Act the Commission discontinued the investigation and no report was published.]

On Monday 7 March 2005 at about 1651, the Wellington to Auckland Overlander passenger express Train 200 departed from Taumarunui and entered the section ahead. At about 1658 the locomotive engineer was required to stop his train when he became aware of a hi-rail vehicle on the track in front of him.

On Wednesday 23 February 2005, at about 0855, Train 3334, a Papakura to Britomart diesel multiple unit passenger train, suffered a traction engine fire while it was stopped at Signal 125, Auckland. The passengers were safely evacuated while the locomotive engineer multiple unit extinguished the fire using dry-powder fire extinguishers that were carried on board the train. There were no injuries. The safety issues identified were: • the cleanliness of the engine surround • monitoring engine compression and crankcase pressures

[Investigation incorporated in report 04-130. Please refer to that report.]

On Sunday 20 February 2005 at about 1300, the Driving Creek Train Linx derailed at Peg 1660. The rear bogie of the last passenger set derailed and was dragged about 15 m before one of the derailment bars hit a rail joint fishplate, causing the rear bogie to jump further to the left-hand side of the track. One passenger received moderate injuries. In the afternoon of Sunday 27 February 2005, the rear bogie of the last passenger set of the Train Linx derailed to the inside of a tight right-hand curve at Peg 1270 on the Driving Creek Railway. There were no injuries.

[Investigation incorporated in report 05-202. Please refer to that report.]