The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into a fatal accident that occurred at Eastland Port, Gisborne, at 0145 on Wednesday 3 April 2019 on the Panama-registered bulk carrier Coresky OL.

The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Captain Tim Burfoot, says the circumstances reported were that the crew were lashing a stack of logs to the deck of the ship when the accident happened.

“The crew were using a ship’s crane to tighten wire ropes on the stack, when a wire rope broke and recoiled, striking a crew member; one crew member died from their injuries and another was injured,” said Capt. Burfoot.

“The Commission has appointed a team of investigators, and the three of them will be in Gisborne later today.”

The Commission opens an inquiry when it believes the circumstances of an accident or incident have - or are likely to have - significant implications for transport safety, or when the inquiry may allow the Commission to make findings or recommendations to improve transport safety.