Investigation underway into Marlborough Sounds collision

The Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has launched an investigation into the collision between the Bluebridge Ferry Santa Regina and a 10-metre bridgedecker boat in Queen Charlotte Sound last night.

A man was killed and a woman taken to hospital as a result of the incident.

Santa Regina was detained in Picton last night to help Police and MSA investigations into the collision but is expected to return to Wellington today.

There was a calm sea with heavy rain in the area last night but MSA Director Russell Kilvington says it’s too early to say if conditions led to the collision,

“We will be looking at everything before during and after the incident to determine exactly what happened and why.

“At this stage Santa Regina appears to have been operating normally, but it is early days and our investigation will be thorough in finding out what caused this tragedy and if there are any lessons to be learned that may prevent a reoccurrence.”

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