Overseas assistance inquiry under Section 8(2)(e) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990, which authorises the Commission to "cooperate and coordinate with other accident investigation organisations overseas, including taking evidence on their behalf."
The reported circumstances were that on 5 August 2025, the skipper of the Mollie, a New Zealand-registered recreational vessel, was seriously injured and later died when winch equipment malfunctioned. The accident occurred when the vessel was off the west coast of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.
Inspectors from the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) deployed to conduct a preliminary assessment into the fatal accident. TAIC’s involvement is to assist MAIB, should they need to gather evidence in New Zealand. For an overseas assistance inquiry like this, TAIC does not produce a report; that would be for the overseas investigating agency, should they choose to continue with their investigation.
