Two COVID-19 positive Viking Bay mariners broke managed isolation rules while quarantining in Wellington.
The breaches occurred on July 13 when the crew members were transferred to the Grand Mercure quarantine hotel.
Fifteen mariners were transferred to the facility after they tested positive for the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant earlier in the month.
A MIQ spokesperson told Newshub there were two bubble breaches - both inside the Grand Mercure hotel.
"The first bubble breach was when a mariner entered another mariner's room. The second was when a mariner knocked on another mariner's room. The door was opened and an item was passed from one to another," the spokesperson said.
They said both breaches were caught on CCTV cameras and the mariners were spoken to about them.
"The mariners were spoken to by interpreters who reiterated the importance of adhering to Infection Protection Control measures.
"Bubble breaches do happen from time to time inside MIQ. In the context of over 158,000 people having been through MIQ so far, the numbers are relatively low though."
The spokesperson said the language barrier played a role in the breaches.
"When language is a barrier there can be a few teething problems in the first few days. MIQ is an adjustment for everyone, it takes most people a few days to get used to it and staff take an education approach."
Of the 20 Viking Bay crew members, 15 are now back aboard the ship, which remains in quarantine at Queens Wharf in Wellington.
Five of the crew members are still in managed isolation.
