The fishing ship ravaged by fire off the Canterbury coast has been released back to its owners, Talley's Group, after investigators finished their examination.
Two specialists from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission spent the day yesterday gathering evidence from the 64m Amaltal Columbia at Lyttelton port and interviewing key people from the 41-member crew who were saved in a dramatic rescue early on Wednesday.
Further interviews and evidence gathering would continue over the next few weeks, the commission said.
The inquiry would determine the cause of the fire and identify any lessons that might prevent a similar event, as well as review the way it was handled on board and the rescue and recovery operation.
It was expected to take at least a year.
Talley's Group Nelson division chief executive Tony Hazlett said the crew, who were based all around New Zealand, would keep their jobs while the company pondered the future of the $50 million Nelson-based ship.
NZN