A Westland Mineral Sands barge has run aground near Westport overnight.
WMS Group’s chief of corporate affairs Kate Lynch confirmed the Manahau had run aground.
She said all 11 crew onboard were safe and there were no environmental concerns.
“Westland Mineral Sands is working closely with relevant maritime and Coastguard authorities to understand how this incident occurred.”
Buller District Mayor Jamie Cleine earlier told 1News the barge had run into issues overnight but no one had been injured.
He said it had been anchored offshore for a couple of days due to the bad weather.
The Maritime Union said concerns had previously been raised by New Zealand seafarers about the foreign crew and flag of the Manahau.
National secretary Carl Findlay said the barge didn’t have a New Zealand crew and the flag state was Niue. It had only just come into service in August carrying mineral sands out of shallow draught port Westport to Nelson.
“Vessels such as the Manahau operating in New Zealand’s unique and challenging maritime environment should be crewed by experienced New Zealand seafarers.”
The union said the barge is about 98m long and is self-powered.
Photos supplied to 1News showed the barge aground on Carters Beach, with many people gathering on the beach to have a look.
Maritime New Zealand has been contacted for comment.
