Tiger III
Aground Saturday 18th December 2004
Salvage attempted from Monday
CTL declared Wednesday
Vero Marine paid NZD 2m on Thursday
MV Tiger III was a 22 metre-long aluminium catamaran ferry, built in 1985 in Wanganui, that conducted tourist cruises twice a day in the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the The Hole In The Rock at Piercy Island. She had a fully enclosed main saloon, with a bridge deck above with the wheelhouse and console forward, and an open verandah deck aft.
The Hole In The Rock - Piercy Island - in calmer seas
On Saturday 18th December 2004, the ferry sailed at 1:30pm with 59 passengers. The weather forecast indicated a gale warning of south-west winds, 25-35 knots and rain. The cruise passed through Waewaetorea Pass and, with a following wind and a light half-metre northerly swell, conditions were comfortable enough.
Cape Brett lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper's landing
At the Hole In The Rock, seas were too rough too pass through, but Tiger III was brought to the south side and reversed two-thirds of the way in and then made a 360 degree turn. After drifting out of the Hole with the wind, the vessel was brought around to the landing under Cape Brett lighthouse. As conditions looked favourable to approach the lighthouse's landing in a cove, at reduced speed, the port engine was put astern to commence a turn around to port, to show the view to the seated passengers. Unfortunately the port engine stalled, and could not be restarted. As Tiger III was closing on a hazardous lee shore, a call was made to the nearby vessel Dolphin Seeker for assistance.
With stopped engines, and making no way, the rudders of a catamaran have little effect. Operating on one engine ahead or astern causes a turn which cannot be controlled until the vessel is under way. The Tiger III commenced a turn, intending to balance the effect of the starboard engine against the windage on the hull. Meanwhile the Dolphin Seeker came into the cove, passed a line to the Tiger III and attempted to pull her clear. Unfortunately the assistance came too late. Tiger III grounded on the outlying rocks, and Dolphin Seeker swung close to the shore, striking her portside transom and port propeller tips before applying full power, which broke the tow line. High tide had been at approximately 2:00pm and the grounding occurred shortly after 3:00pm on a falling tide.
helicopter view
The ragged rocks held the Tiger III fast, with her port hull quickly punctured in the pounding swell. Fortunately the stern was very close to a rock ledge. The passengers were evacuated ashore and collected by helicopter from higher ground.
Peter Beech of Vero Marine and Capt. Mike Austin were quickly on the scene. Peter picked up Dougal Fergus of NZ Diving and Salvage from Whangarei airport on his way through to inspect the vessel. Dougal was appointed Salvage Master.
Initial inspection
By Sunday afternoon all the compartments on the port side were flooded, as the rocks had torn into the aluminium alloy hull. On starboard, the large forward void had also met with the rocks, but the starboard fuel void, engine room and steering space remained intact.
A detailed inventory of equipment necessary was prepared and a team mobilised. Two local barges and tug were fixed, water taxi and helicopter transport arranged, and inflation bags, air compression, lines, air supply tubes and air bags were brought to Paihia. The barge was fully loaded by the Monday afternoon, and she was towed to Cape Brett to be on location at dawn on Tuesday. Work continued during the night with other preparations.
The barge loaded for the salvage attempt at dawn
Many salvage operations are weather dependent, and this proved to be no exception. By Tuesday strong north-west winds and building swell were already sweeping into the lighthouse cove where the Tiger III lay. The ferry had survived the night but her hull was now savagely torn. Sections of the hull had broken away. A rock now penetrated in to the port engine room some 60 cms. If the vessel could be moved, she would have to be lifted.
Tiger III's hulls now breached and flooded
The plan was to insert most of the buoyancy salvage gear during low tide. It soon became apparent that the waves sweeping the deck would dislodge any equipment as soon as deployed, and there would be serious threat to the safety of the salvage team.
In view of the already severe damage and the weather conditions, which were expected to last for another two days, the owners decided that the costs involved in Tiger III's recovery and repair would exceed her value.
Peter Beech, Vero Marine surveyor, one of the last off the Tiger III at her end, conducts a final inspection
By Wednesday 22nd, the starboard engine room and fuel void became flooded and the vessel settled more deeply on to the rocks. The main saloon windows were broken by the waves, and the main deck flooded. All five void spaces of both hulls were breached. Both of the MVM V12 800hp diesel engines were rapidly deteriorating in the salt water.
Vero Marine were the hull and machinery insurers. Third party liability ("Protection & Indemnity") was insured elsewhere, so our responsibility was principally with the hardware and not with pollution nor removal of wreck. The light diesel oil dissipated rapidly, but the vessel herself would have to be removed from an area of great natural beauty.
Peter Beech surveyed sections of the vessel when she was eventually brought ashore at Paihia, having been cut up on site. Vero Marine's interest now lay principally in risk management - what had caused the port engine to stop. TAIC investigations still continue and the marine community expect the report soon.
Vero Marine's Auckland office were in constant contact with our surveyor on site, and in discussion with the client's insurance brokers. We guided everyone through the necessary procedures and had the paperwork ready to sign as soon a constructive total loss was declared by owners. Because of this quick response and action, we were able to assist Fullers with their purchase of a replacement vessel that week, allowing for a minimal interruption of their business at the peak of the holiday season. By having our own in-house marine surveyor, who actively participated in the salvage effort and kept Vero Marine updated, we were able to respond quickly to a serious situation.
Hull damage apparent on beaching the port hull at Paihia
Damage to the port propeller, indicating impact damage
Cut up section of hull, showing damage
Peter Beech, Vero Marine surveyor, conducting a post-mortem on the engines
The sad end of the Tiger III
Click on the links below for previous Photo Features
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