MO-2006-207 Restricted limit passenger vessel, Milford Sovereign, engine failure and impact with rock wall, Milford Sound, 31 October 2006

On 31 October 2006, the restricted limit passenger vessel Milford Sovereign was on a cruise of Milford Sound with a master, 9 crew and 181 passengers on board. Shortly after rounding Dale Point at about 1400, the master slowed the vessel in order that the passengers could view some penguins. As the master put the engines astern they both stalled, and before he was able to restart them the bow of the vessel struck the rock wall. The underwater hull was not penetrated so the master resumed the cruise.

Soon after, as the vessel approached Seal Rock, another area of interest for passengers, the engines again stalled when astern was engaged. On this occasion, the master was able to restart the port engine and avert a collision with the shore or a nearby vessel.

Thereafter the master returned the vessel to Fresh Water Basin without any further incidents.
There were no injuries and the vessel damage was limited to the loss of the head of the anchor and minor localised plate damage in way of the hawse pipe.

Safety issues identified were:

• The loss of the starboard propulsion engine resulted in the loss of hydraulic steering;

• the vessels sea trials being less vigorous than optimal;

• the engine stalling issue not being previously addressed; and

• the master operating in isolation.

A safety recommendation was made to the Director of Maritime New Zealand that she ensure that the engine stalling issue be suitably addressed.