StraitNZ, owner of the Bluebridge ferry Connemara, has confirmed that contaminated fuel caused the vessel to lose power in the Cook Strait last month.
RNZ reported earlier this week that fuel issues were the likely cause of the incident, which left the ferry adrift for over two hours before tugboats came to its rescue.
StraitNZ had previously withheld comment, citing an ongoing Maritime NZ investigation. However, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Maritime NZ, and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have now confirmed that StraitNZ identified fuel contamination as a potential contributing factor.
The exact nature of the fuel issue was previously unclear, but StraitNZ CEO Shane McMahon has now confirmed it was due to “contaminated” fuel.
The contamination damaged the ship’s fuel injectors, leading to the power loss. McMahon stated that the injectors have been repaired, and the contamination resolved using a biocide additive.
Investigations are ongoing to determine how and where the fuel became contaminated, with StraitNZ collaborating with authorities and its fuel supplier to identify the source.
“Fuel samples taken from the ship and its supply since the September 19 incident have shown no signs of contamination,” McMahon stated.
Union says the industry should have been informed sooner
The union representing ship masters and officers criticized StraitNZ and Maritime NZ for not promptly addressing the Connemara’s power loss issue, which occurred a month ago.
Maritime NZ confirmed that recent fuel samples from Wellington showed no contamination. “If any issues were found, the appropriate parties would have been notified.”
The agency stated its investigation could take up to a year. “Our goal is to identify the cause, assess for systemic issues, extract safety lessons for the sector, and determine if public intervention is necessary.”
Merchant Service Guild Vice President Captain Iain MacLeod criticized the delay in informing the industry about the fuel contamination.
“Maritime NZ must be transparent about what it knows and outline the steps it is taking to guide maritime operators in preventing further issues,” he stated.
Before the contamination was confirmed, Transport Minister Simeon Brown told RNZ he was satisfied with Maritime NZ’s communication regarding the Connemara’s power loss.
“It’s important that Maritime NZ has the necessary space to conduct independent investigations into safety incidents to prevent future occurrences,” Brown added.
“Investigations can vary in duration based on the complexity of the incident, and I expect the regulator to address the risks appropriately to ensure the safety of New Zealanders,” said Brown.
He added that KiwiRail, which operates Interislander ferries across Cook Strait, had not reported similar fuel issues.
RNZ has reached out to Brown for further comment following the confirmation of fuel contamination.
Earlier this week, Resources Minister Shane Jones said Mobil representatives assured him there were no issues with its fuel but suggested that some ship engines might struggle with an added emulsifier.
Mobil, which does not supply fuel to Bluebridge, declined to speculate on the cause of Connemara’s issue.
Image Credits- Bluebridge Connemara