Navy Ship Successful In Search For ‘Iron Maiden’
The navy dive tender HMNZS MANAWANUI has found the wreck of the fishing vessel Iron Maiden this morning. The vessel was
located in 30-60m of water in the vicinity of Pandora Bank off the Northland Coast and was found using MANAWANUI's towed
side scan sonar.
MANAWANUI has filmed the wreck using a Remote Operated Vehicle. This footage will be used by the Transport Accident
Investigation Commission to assist in determining the cause of the accident.
The families of the sailors involved in the accident have been informed by the Transport Accident Investigation
Commission this morning.
Background
The Navy was responding to a request for assistance from The Transport Accident Investigation Commission to carry out a
search for the vessel Iron Maiden using side-scan sonar equipment. Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the
Maritime Safety Authority are both investigating the accident in which the fishing vessel Iron Maiden foundered
somewhere near Pandora Bank to the south-west of Cape Reinga on 16 August 2004. The liferaft and body of the skipper
were found in the early hours of 17 August.