Two
Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigators
have been in Whakatane since mid-morning today (19 Jan)
beginning the evidence gathering for the Commission’s
inquiry into yesterday’s charter boat fire in the Eastern
Bay of Plenty, off Whakatane.
They have been
setting up and starting interviews, speaking with the
operating company, and begun to collect documentary
evidence. The first interview priority is the crew, with
contact information available for the passengers who were
all pre-booked. The investigators expect to be in Whakatane
until Thursday, at least, and will return as required during
the evidence gathering phase.
Decisions on any
underwater inspection or salvage of the sunken wreck will be
made by the Commission once its potential value can be
assessed against other evidence as it is collected.
A typical inquiry is expected to take between one or two
years to complete, although an interim report or urgent
safety recommendations could be issued at any time should
these be
warranted.
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