More than 40 rescued before tourist boat capsized at Akaroa

A passenger aboard a tourist boat that ran aground outside Akaroa Heads on Banks Peninsula on Saturday says some on board were panicked and crying, when they realised the vessel was in trouble.

More than 40 passengers and crew were evacuated to nearby boats, when the Black Cat Cruises catamaran ran into difficulty at Nikau Palm Valley Bay about 12.20pm Saturday.

The vessel was taking tourists to see the local Akaroa wildlife, including Hector’s dolphins.