![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4JTOK8X_Black_Cat_Cruises_boat_jfif.jpeg\")
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\nThe wrecked catamaran after the incident.
\nPhoto: Environment Canterbury\n<\/p>\n
Questions are being raised over delays in communication to passengers, after a tourist ferry ran aground in Akaroa Harbour last weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n More than 40 people were rescued from the Black Cat Cruises catamaran, when it ran into difficulty at Nikau Palm Valley Bay.<\/p>\n Passenger Chris Friedman wondered why little information was given to passengers immediately after the catamaran struck the seabed.<\/p>\n “Once the crew knew that there was an issue, when the boat started to lift and smoke was coming into the galley, and water was coming in as well, that’s when we put on our life preservers and they did handle it properly,” Freidman said.<\/p>\n “Other than being a little shaken and an adrenaline rush, nobody was injured and, thankfully so, everybody was able to safely evacuate.”<\/p>\n Friedman said he has been told standard maritime practice was to limit communication until the situation was clear to avoid causing panic.<\/p>\n RNZ has approached Black Cat Crusies for a response to the claims.<\/p>\n After the incident, passengers were taken to the main wharf at Akaroa.<\/p>\n The Canterbury Regional Council said the wrecked catamaran has split<\/a>, with its hulls on the seabed and the superstructure on the beach.<\/p>\n