Speed and route choice have been blamed for the grounding of South Port's pilot boat, Takitimu II, in December 2024, according to the findings of a Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report released today (29 Jan).

The pilot boat had set out from Bluff to transfer a pilot to an incoming ship, however after passing Stirling Point the TAIC found the master had made an excessive course alteration and at about 18–20 kt the vessel ran aground on rocks and sustained moderate damage to its hull and underwater fixtures.

TAIC concluded speed and route choice had reduced the time available to detect and correct course.

Fog patches in the area restricted visibility, yet the master navigated by referring to their usual visual references and didn’t make effective use of the compass and electronic navigation equipment, they said.

The deckhand alerted the master when navigation screens showed they were heading toward shore, but by then there was insufficient sea room to avoid the rock.

This resulted in two of the three people on board suffering minor injuries.

There was no pollution and the Coastguard later towed the vessel off the rocks and back to port.

TAIC concluded that since South Port had now updated its training and procedures, there was no need for the commission to make a recommendation.