The Interislander ferry Aratere, which ran aground near Picton Harbour on Friday night, was successfully re-floated around 9:20pm on Saturday. The vessel, carrying 39 crew members and eight commercial truck drivers, lost steering and became stranded for nearly 24 hours. Divers who inspected the hull reported minimal damage, and the ferry remains watertight. Inter-
islander General Manager Duncan Roy confirmed that the ship would be moved to a more permanent berth on Monday for a thorough examination.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown expressed serious concern over the incident, highlighting the need for KiwiRail to maintain the safety and reliability of its fleet. Independent investigations by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are now underway to determine the cause of the grounding. KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy defended the company’s recent investments and improvements, citing a significant lift in performance and reliability. Reidy emphasized that safety remains a top priority and reassured that the ferry would not resume operations until it is cleared by MNZ.
The grounding incident has prompted scrutiny over the state of KiwiRail’s asset management and maintenance practices. Minister Brown noted that while improvements have been made, there is still more work to be done to ensure the fleet's safety standards. The government remains committed to supporting resilient shipping across the Cook Strait, with plans to invest in new ships to enhance the transport network. As investigations continue, the incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety protocols for New Zealand’s vital maritime routes.
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