A barge is enroute to the site of a collision between two vessels in the Marlborough Sounds this morning.
The DOC vessel Waitohi and a private yacht collided about 10am between Snake Point and Bull Head in Queen Charlotte Sound and the yacht has subsequently sunk. The mast and rigging of the yacht became tangled with the hull of the Waitohi and the vessel is currently submerged below the water being supported by the Waitohi.
The barge has hydraulic lifting equipment and will salvage the vessel.
The skipper of the Waitohi has suffered a gash to the head and is believed to have been knocked unconscious in the collision. He is being taken to Wairau Hospital. It has now been confirmed he was the only person aboard the DOC vessel.
The skipper of the yacht is being treated for hypothermia by St John Ambulance staff at the scene.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is now with Harbourmaster, in conjunction with Maritime NZ.