TAIC investigators visit the ship. Photo: Supplied/TAIC
*This story's first two lines have been updated to correct how long the ship may stay in New Zealand, as well as its name and a line included further down to reflect how long TAIC investigations may take.
An investigation is underway into an explosion on a ship berthed in Bluff that has seen a bulk carrier placed under a partial protection order by transport investigators, temporarily preventing it from leaving New Zealand.
Three crew members were injured in the incident on board the Malta-flagged M.V Olivia, which happened in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said four fire trucks responded to the alert, which was received shortly after 3am, and assisted ambulance crews with getting the injured off the ship.
Hato Hone St John transported the injured crew members to Kew Hospital in Invercargill, two in serious condition and one in a moderate condition.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said crew members were working on a boiler in the engine room when there was an explosion or flashback.
TAIC was investigating the incident as a serious marine casualty as required under international maritime regulations, a spokesperson said.
The ship will be unable to leave port until the investigation is finished due to a protection order had been placed on parts of the ship.
The order gave TAIC the power to protect and restrict access, and to require people provide papers, documents, records or other items, including voyage and engine data, recording equipment, the boiler and boiler system, and videos and photos taken by the crew.
While it did not apply to the entire ship, apart from from urgent safety actions, obeying the order meant the crew cannot operate the boiler system, voyage data system, effectively marooning the ship at South Port.
Many TAIC investigations can take two years or longer to complete.
The three investigators deployed on Sunday included experts in ship control and command, engineering and digital data extraction and analysis.
The team conducted interviews and collected physical and digital evidence, and wrapped up the on-site investigation on Wednesday, the spokesperson said.
Different lines of inquiry will be followed over the next few months, with work in later stages - particularly during analysis - potentially requiring further evidence collection.
The investigation would determine the broader circumstances and cause, but TAIC investigations did not ascribe blame or liability, he said.
*TAIC investigations can take two years or longer to complete.
Maritime NZ confirmed it was investigating, but declined to answer further questions.
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