Amaltal Mariner Inquiry

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is investigating a person overboard from the commercial New Zealand-flagged fishing vessel, Amaltal Mariner.

The reported circumstances were that at approximately 2240 on 5 April 2026, a crew member was knocked overboard by a float while deploying fishing gear.

Reportedly the vessel was in the South Pacific Ocean approximately 215 nautical miles east of the Auckland Islands. Immediate efforts did not locate the missing crew member and at time of opening this inquiry they remained unaccounted for.

The Commission’s Chief Investigator of Accidents, Louise Cook, says TAIC is sending a team of investigators to Bluff to gather evidence and interview the vessel’s crew and officials.

“Our initial focus is on evidence that could disappear or change – including recollections that are fresh in people’s minds.

“We’re also interested in the onboard fishing operation, individual design, history, performance, maintenance, and equipment of this vessel."

The purpose of this and every other TAIC inquiry is to improve transport safety by avoiding repeat accidents, rather than by ascribing blame. The Commission opens an inquiry when it believes the circumstances 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.

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