A New Zealand passenger vessel ran aground in Doubtful Sound after the master at the helm likely fell asleep, according to a report released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).
The incident took place on 24 January 2024, when the Fiordland Navigator was on an overnight tourism trip departing from Deep Cove.
As the vessel was turning to exit Crooked Arm, a remote part of Doubtful Sound, it ran aground. Investigators found it was “virtually certain” that the master had fallen asleep during the maneuver.
At the time, the vessel had 57 passengers and 9 crew members on board. Several passengers and crew suffered minor injuries, and the vessel sustained moderate damage.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with all passengers evacuated back to Deep Cove and later transported to Te Anau, a town in New Zealand, the same evening.
The vessel was also returned to Deep Cove later that night.
The Commission found that
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
