For release 3pm Friday 6 May, 2016.

Diving operation on sunk fishing vessel

A dive operation is underway to extensively film the fishing vessel Jubilee and to recover items of interest rather than bring the vessel to the surface and tow it to Lyttelton for inspection.

“We made the decision to do this because of deteriorating weather and sea conditions and the attendant risk of escalating costs,” said Transport Accident Investigation Commission chief investigator Captain Tim Burfoot.

The Commission opened a formal inquiry into why the 90 tonne vessel sank in the Canterbury Bight last October with the loss of three lives. The Jubilee had been lying in 45 metres of water 22 kilometres off the coast.

The Commission contracted the salvage company New Zealand Diving and Salvage Ltd to try and bring the Jubilee to the surface and tow it to Lyttelton where it could be inspected by Commission investigators.

The Commission is charged with looking into the circumstances and causes of marine, air and rail accidents and incidents so lessons learnt will help prevent repeat tragedies.

Captain Burfoot said two attempts had been made to move the Jubilee and the boat was now two kilometres closer to the coast and in slightly shallower water.

“Unfortunately the weather patterns have deteriorated, so rather than face the risk of the Jubilee being stuck in shallow water in bad weather, we have decided to send the salvage divers down now to extensively film the wreck and recover items of potential interest. The fact that the vessel is in shallower water is making the diving safer and easier.”

The divers had been working on the site since yesterday (Thursday May 5).

They had been in constant touch with the surface team during their dives allowing the Commission investigators on board the support craft to provide directions. The dive operation was expected to finish today (Friday May 6) or tomorrow depending on the weather.

Captain Burfoot said evidence gathered from the site will be valuable and would be assessed further by the Commission back in Wellington.

The final report into the accident was not expected to be completed before October.

Ends

© Scoop Media