Navy VIP Barge Incident – Update 1

The Royal New Zealand Navy has a damage assessment team enroute to Tutukaka to determine how the Navy’s VIP Barge, which was damaged in an incident this morning, can be returned to the Devonport Naval Base.

The VIP Barge and accompanying Navy Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) had transited from Waitangi to Tutukaka yesterday [Tuesday, 7 Feb] and spent the night in Tutukaka.

The Barge sailed from Tutukaka for Devonport at 0615 this morning, when it soon struck the nearby Red Rocks reef.

The four crew members onboard the barge transferred to the accompanying RHIB. The Navy has confirmed that no one from the incident was injured.

The RHIB then towed the Barge back to Tutukaka, where the barge was settled on the beach. Damage to the barge is understood to be a 50cm-60cm hole on the starboard side.

The Navy has sent a two-person team to inspect the damage, and assist a likely temporary repair so that the barge can be returned to Devonport.

The Navy confirms that a full investigation into the incident has begun.