Black Cat grounding, Akaroa Harbour, 31 January 2026

The Commission is investigating an accident involving a commercial passenger vessel grounding in Akaroa Harbour on 31 January 2026.

Executive summary Tuhinga whakarāpopoto

The Commission is investigating an accident involving a commercial passenger vessel grounding in Akaroa Harbour on 31 January 2026. The circumstances reported to date were that the 17-metre ferry, Black Cat, operated by Black Cat Cruises, had a total of 38 passengers and 3 crew on board for a wildlife cruise. The people were evacuated to other nearby vessels with no injuries reported. The vessel then started to list and so was beached.

17-metre catamaran passenger ferry Black Cat photographed in Akaroa Harbour. No obvious major structural deformation above the waterline is visible. Vessel is listing to starboard by approximately 10° with starboard main-deck stern near to awash. Numerous people wearing orange lifejackets are visible on the main and upper deck on the port side, with some transferring on to one of three boats attending the stricken vessel's port side. Harbour headlands form the background. — The Black Cat after the grounding. Photo shows obvious list and passengers beginning to transfer to responding boats. Photo taken by witness, supplied to TVNZ.

LINKS

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