Investigators stay on cruise ship
Investigators may travel on board the Emerald Princess as they examine the death of a crew member following the explosion of a gas cylinder.
The 3000-passenger cruise ship was expected to leave Port Chalmers last night.
A Transport Accident Investigation Commission spokesman confirmed investigators from the commission and Maritime New Zealand might stay on the ship when it departed for Sydney in order to complete their investigation.
Meanwhile the company behind the cruise, Carnival Australia, said they would not be making further statements about the incident, spokesman David Jones said.
‘‘Out of respect to the man’s family and friends, we will not be commenting further in this regard. We are deeply saddened by what has happened and urgent steps have been taken to offer close support to the crew member’s family.’’
Shipping containers were used to shield the scene as investigators, including police, conducted a scene examination.
Passengers were allowed to disembark the 3000-passenger cruise ship, with the shipping company putting on free shuttle buses to Dunedin.
One visibly upset Australian man said he looked out ‘‘after an almighty explosion’’.
He saw the cylinder on the wharf and the injured man who was attended to by medical personnel, with sheets later used to block the view from passengers.
Rodney and Anita Fairbrother, of Australia, said they were told the crew member was using nitrogen from the cylinder.
‘‘It exploded and shot the bottle out over the side on to the wharf.’’
Counselling was on offer for those passengers affected by the death, the couple said.
Shops and the casino on board the vessel could not be opened, and so shuttles were put on for passengers who wanted to go to Dunedin.
Some were disappointed the vessel would not be visiting Milford Sound – a highlight of the trip – but people understood the reasons why it would return to Sydney.
And while passengers were told to be back at the vessel by noon yesterday, the departure time was yet to be confirmed.
Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket said the ship would not leave until it received Maritime NZ clearance, and he expected that to be within 24 hours.
Jones said initial reports suggested the incident happened during technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel.
The ship was on a 12-night round cruise from Sydney to destinations in New Zealand. It arrived at Port Chalmers from Akaroa just before 8am on Thursday and had been due to depart for Fiordland at 6pm the same day.
The Emerald Princess can cater for 3000 passengers and a crew of 1200. The ship’s home port is Sydney, Australia. – Fairfax NZ