MO-2004-213

On Sunday 22 August 2004 at about 1708, the passenger ferry "Superflyte" was proceeding from Matiatia on Waiheke Island to Auckland, with 6 crew and 311 passengers on board, when a fire was discovered in the port engine room.
The master issued a distress call and all passengers were evacuated in due course to other vessels that responded to the call.
Carbon dioxide flooding was used in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but this was unsuccessful due to a fault in the system. The fire was eventually extinguished manually by the crew with assistance from the Fire Service.
Several of the passengers suffered minor abrasions and contusions during the evacuation and some suffered slight smoke inhalation. None of the passengers or crew required medical attention.
Safety issues identified included:
- the method and scope of disseminating information concerning necessary safety-critical remedial work on a specific type of engine
- the content and promulgation of instructions to be followed in case of emergency on restricted limits passenger vessels
- the need for ferry crew, as trained personnel, to provide guidance, help and support to passengers in an emergency situation
the installation and subsequent surveys of CO2 smothering equipment.

Safety recommendations were made to the Managing Director of Fullers Group Limited, the Managing Director of Dunsford Marine Limited, the Managing Director of Deutz AG, Germany, and the Director of Maritime Safety to address these issues.