Three 'stable' in hospital after charter boat catches fire off Whakatane coast
Monday, 18 January 2016
Three people, who had to dive into freezing waters to escape a boat inferno, are being treated in hospital.
Passengers were forced to jump into the sea after the tourist vessel went up in flames on Monday afternoon, off the coast of Whakatane.
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All 60 people on board - 53 passengers and seven crew - have been accounted for following a successful rescue operation.
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Two women and one man were being treated in Whakatane Hospital, according to Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott, who was speaking to SunLive.
A 47-year-old woman from South Australia, a 23-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man - both from Ohope - were in a stable condition, SunLive said.
At 3.45pm on Monday, emergency services were told of a fire on ferry one kilometre from shore.
Nearly two hours later, the boat, the Pee Jay 5, a White Island Tour boat, sunk.
Former New Zealand rower Rob Hamill was staying in a house near the mouth of the Whakatane Rive and witnessed the fire.
'It was a blazing inferno,' said Hamill. 'It was incredible.'
He said fire could be seen from the boat's stern before it enveloped the cabin of the 22-metre vessel.
'Obviously the engine area was alight first, by the sound of it.
'And then the cabin - because there is a huge cabin on it, it's a big boat - the cabin took alight and that went on for 15 or 20 minutes.
'And then it burnt down and it sort of burst out the sides, then it went through the side of the boat.'
He said the boat was already on fire when it came around the point before it anchored.
'It was stationary and you watched this thing unfold, stationary in 25 to 30-knot wind.
'I was surprised how long it took to sink, actually.
'It would disappear into the rain and you'd think, you can't see any flames, it's on its way down and then it would pop out into view.'
Boat-loads of people, all wearing life-jackets, came and were whisked away to be cared for.
'You'd hate to be in their position. It would be absolutely terrifying.'
A Coastguard boat, along with smaller local vessels, were dispatched to help recover passengers and crew from the water.
Two boats from the company's fleet were sent out to assist the rescue operation.
Whakatane Beacon reporter Haylee King said the rescued passengers were battered by their experience.
'They were totally drenched, they just looked really scared and there were a few kids on board as well,' said King.
'People were just getting towels and blankets and firefighter jackets to keep warm and as dry as possible.
'There was shock and disbelief and they were just relieved to be on land.'
White Island Tours managing directors Peter and Jenny Tait were both extremely upset but said in a media release that tour operations would continue.
'We're extremely upset this has occurred, and are trying to come to terms with it, but we're extremely proud of our crew and staff for their efforts and thankful to the emergency responders who assisted in the rescue operation,' said Peter Tait.
Other vessels in the fleet, PeeJay IV and Moutohora Cat, were deployed.
'The passengers were unloaded safely and two passengers were attended to at the scene with minor injuries.
'We're providing assistance for passengers who may have lost personal items that were aboard the vessel.'
The cause of the fire is subject to a full investigation.
'We are working with the relevant authorities as we go forward,' he said.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the incident.
Two investigators are expected to arrive in Whakatane on Tuesday.