New Zealand Interisland Ferry Runs Aground

The RoRo ferry Aratere ran aground while departing Picton on New Zealand’s South Island for its journey across Cook Strait, causing another setback for the InterIslander service operated by KiwiRail. The company stated that the vessel experienced a steering failure, leading to it being stuck on the shore. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that there was no immediate danger, with no oil leaks or water ingress observed.

The 18,000 gross ton vessel had departed Picton earlier than scheduled for its final run of the day, carrying rail cars and trucks on a freight-only trip. However, about half an hour after leaving the berth, the Aratere veered off course and became stuck north of Picton. Despite calm weather conditions, commercial drivers and crew onboard were instructed to put on life jackets and standby at a muster station.

Concerns arose as the Aratere is the only vessel in the fleet capable of transporting rail cars, providing a crucial cargo service connecting the islands. KiwiRail has been in negotiations with the government for new ferries to replace its aging fleet, with a previous order for new vessels being canceled in 2021. The troubled history of the Aratere includes multiple breakdowns and failures, raising questions about KiwiRail’s maintenance of the Interislander ferry fleet.

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