White Island Tours has confirmed that all 53 passengers and seven crew on board vessel PeeJay V have been safely returned to shore following a fire on board the vessel just off the Whakatāne Harbour entrance.

Managing Directors Peter and Jenny Tait say they have full praise for the efforts of their crew and staff, along with the emergency services which assisted. "We have planned and prepared for this scenario," says Mr Tait. "We're extremely upset this has occurred, and are trying to come to terms with it, but we're extremely proud of our crew and staff for their efforts and thankful to the emergency responders who assisted in the rescue operation."

Mr Tait says their alternate vessels, PeeJay IV and Moutohorā Cat were deployed immediately to assist. "The passengers were unloaded safely and two passengers were attended to at the scene with minor injuries.

"We're providing assistance for passengers who may have lost personal items that were aboard the vessel.

Mr Tait says the cause of the fire on board the vessel will be the subject of a full investigation and we will allow this to provide the answers as to what has happened.

"We are working with the relevant authorities as we go forward," Mr Tait concludes.

Additional information:

• 53 passengers and seven crew included captain all safely brought to shore
• Investigations will be carried out by Maritime Safety Authority
• Future operations will continue using White Island Tours other vessels

Maritime Safety New Zealand staff have arrived in Whakatane and commenced investigations into the incident which occurred aboard PeeJay V yesterday afternoon. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has also opened an investigation and staff will arrive in Whakatane this morning.