The Manahau ran aground on Carters Beach during a storm. Photo: Supplied / Marlene Coleman
A barge that ran aground on a Westport beach could be stuck there for days, authorities say.
Manahau, a Westland Mineral Sands barge, ran aground at Carters Beach about midnight Saturday during a storm.
It had 11 people on board. No-one was injured and there were no leaks, Maritime NZ said.
There was also no cargo on board at the time.
Work was being undertaken on Sunday to ensure the grounded barge "remains stable" at the beach, Maritime NZ said.
"The work to date has involved our people, representatives from the vessel's operator, as well as from local and regional authorities," incident controller Blair Simmons said.
"This afternoon, diggers have been on the beach, creating anchor points to lock the vessel in place.
"This stops it from potentially drifting towards rocks at high tide."
All work was being undertaken during daylight hours.
Once the Manahau was stable, authorities would figure out how to move it without harming any people or the environment, Simmons said.
That would require careful planning and analysis and would take some time.
He said Westland Mineral Sands had spoken to salvage experts and was planning on sending a specialist tug down from Taranaki, ahead of a potential re-float later in the week.
"Re-floating the vessel will be a delicate operation, and we will closely review any plans being put in place by the operator."
Simmons discouraged locals from climbing on the barge or getting close to it while machinery was working.
"This is an operational area, and people need to stay away for their own safety."
The 11 crew members remained on board and were safe, he said.
A Maritime NZ investigation into the grounding was underway.