On Thursday 13 November 1997, at about 2130, the tug "York Syme" with six persons on board and with a loaded barge "H7" in tow, grounded on a reef north-east of Maria Island in the Hauraki Gulf. "H7" passed partly through the reef and grounded. The trailing towline fouled the propeller of "York Syme" while its engine was going astern. There were no injuries.
Safety issues identified were poor watchkeeping practices, failure to keep a proper lookout and working routines leading to fatigue.
