On Saturday 31 January 2026, a 17-metre Black Cat Cruises passenger catamaran grounded near the entrance to Akaroa Harbour while returning from a wildlife cruise. The vessel was carrying 38 passengers and three crew at the time. All people on board were safely evacuated to nearby vessels and returned ashore, with no injuries reported.
Authorities continue to manage the aftermath of the grounding and subsequent loss of a Black Cat Cruises catamaran near the entrance to Akaroa Harbour, following a serious marine incident on Saturday 31 January.
New drone footage captured on Tuesday 3 February shows the vessel submerged close to shore in a small rocky bay near Nīkau Palm Valley, inside Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. The footage confirmed the catamaran had settled firmly onto rocks, complicating early recovery efforts.
The vessel grounded while returning from a wildlife cruise. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has confirmed the 17-metre commercial passenger ferry was carrying 38 passengers and three crew at the time. All people on board were safely evacuated to nearby vessels and returned ashore, with no injuries reported.
TAIC has formally opened an inquiry into the incident and appointed a dedicated investigation team. The Commission is appealing for witnesses who saw, photographed, or filmed the vessel before, during, or after the grounding, noting that early evidence is critical while details remain fresh. Investigators will focus on securing time-sensitive material, including witness accounts, electronic data, and any recoverable wreckage, alongside examination of the vessel’s operational history, maintenance, equipment, and design.
Canterbury Regional Council suspended recovery operations on 3 February due to unfavourable weather and sea conditions. Initial attempts to move the vessel into deeper water were unsuccessful after the hull settled onto a large rock. Subsequent swell conditions dislodged the vessel from the rocks, pushing it higher onto the beach at Nīkau Palm Valley Bay. Specialist salvage contractors later accessed the site by helicopter and confirmed the vessel has separated, with the hulls remaining on the seabed and the deck and superstructure now on the beach.
The catamaran was carrying approximately 2,240 litres of marine diesel and around 120 litres of other oils. Residual diesel fuel remains contained within Cathedral Cave and is visibly degrading. Environmental monitoring continues, including assessments by the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team. Only small, micron-thin rainbow sheens, generally 20 to 30 centimetres in size, have been observed within the immediate wreck area.
On 5 February, response teams observed a crested penguin showing signs it may have been unwell. Wildlife specialists were unable to safely capture the bird, and monitoring remains ongoing.
An updated recovery plan from insurers is pending. Salvage is expected to proceed in two phases, beginning with removal of the superstructure in situ, followed by recovery of the submerged hulls.
A 200-metre exclusion zone remains in place and will continue until the vessel is lifted and removed, with timing dependent on weather, sea conditions, and operational safety. Authorities urge all water users to respect the restriction to ensure public and responder safety.
Learn more:
- TAIC investigating the grounding of tourist ferry Black Cat in Akaroa
- What you need to know about the Nīkau Palm Valley Bay vessel incident
- Questions raised over communication delay during Black Cat ferry grounding
