MEDIA STATEMENT - fatal accident on NZ fishing vessel

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into a fatal accident on board the New Zealand-registered factory fishing vessel San Granit.

The accident occurred some 55 miles East of Banks Peninsula at about 0400 this morning.

The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Captain Tim Burfoot, said the Rescue Coordination Centre notified the Commission early this morning about the accident.

“Circumstances reported to date are that a crew member was fatally injured on the factory deck of the vessel,” said Capt. Burfoot.

The Commission is sending two investigators to PrimePort Timaru, where the vessel is due to dock.

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.

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