13 Feb 2017

Cruise ship sails on after crash

12:08 pm on 13 February 2017

A luxury cruise ship, which smashed into another vessel at Port Timaru yesterday after its moorings failed, left for Akaroa overnight.

The Seabourn Encore has come free of its moorings at the Port of Timaru.

The Seabourn Encore has come free of its moorings at the Port of Timaru. Photo: Screenshot

A strong southerly blew the American-owned Seabourn Encore away from the wharf yesterday afternoon and into a cement carrier, the Milburn Carrier Two.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission began an inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the incident today.

Regional harbourmaster Jim Dilley said investigators had been speaking to the crew and assessing the damage.

Investigations were also being carried out at Timaru's port.

He said the ship would be leaving for Wellington as scheduled this evening.

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