Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Serious Tourist boat incident, Akaroa Heads, Banks Penninsula, New Zealand.
Black Cat Cruises say 38 passengers and three crew members were evacuated from a 17-metre wildlife cruise vessel at 12.20pm on Saturday 31 Jan, after it ran aground just outside the Akaroa Heads.
On Sunday evening, the operator said from its initial assessment, “damage was worse than anticipated”.
“We have been working closely with the relevant authorities and a salvage team to come up with a plan that is safe while also minimizing the potential environmental damage,” Black Cat Cruises chief executive Paul Milligan said.
“The first phase of this is likely to include moving the vessel to deeper water where it can be submerged to protect the structural integrity of the vessel, rather than leaving it to the mercy of the wind and sea.”
Once this is complete, they will move into phase two – which will include the lifting and removal of the vessel.
“We remain committed to working with the relevant authorities and fully recovering the vessel from its current location.”
Chch Press
Serious Tourist boat incident, Akaroa Heads, Banks Penninsula, New Zealand.
Black Cat Cruises say 38 passengers and three crew members were evacuated from a 17-metre wildlife cruise vessel at 12.20pm on Saturday 31 Jan, after it ran aground just outside the Akaroa Heads.
On Sunday evening, the operator said from its initial assessment, “damage was worse than anticipated”.
“We have been working closely with the relevant authorities and a salvage team to come up with a plan that is safe while also minimizing the potential environmental damage,” Black Cat Cruises chief executive Paul Milligan said.
“The first phase of this is likely to include moving the vessel to deeper water where it can be submerged to protect the structural integrity of the vessel, rather than leaving it to the mercy of the wind and sea.”
Once this is complete, they will move into phase two – which will include the lifting and removal of the vessel.
“We remain committed to working with the relevant authorities and fully recovering the vessel from its current location.”
Chch Press
