A boat that sank after suspected contact with a whale at Goose Bay near Kaikoura last year -- had a flaw in its fuel system
A boat that sank after suspected contact with a whale at Goose Bay near Kaikoura last year -- had a flaw in its fuel system
3 August 2023
The skipper and five passengers were rescued from the i-Catcher's upturned hull -- but five others were found dead in an air pocket inside.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission's found all those who died showed symptoms of petrol exposure -- which likely leaked from the fuel system.
In the boat's 13-years of service, it'd been checked by five different marine surveyors.
No report shows inspections of the fuel system below the deck plate.
Current rules don't require an entire fuel system inspection.
A spokesperson says there are hundreds of boats like the i-Catcher in our commercial fleet -- and tens of thousands more used recreationally.
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