New Zealand has imposed a NZ$400,000 (approximately $234,671) fine on KiwiRail, the inter-island RoRo ferry operator, for compromising passenger safety. This penalty follows a grounding incident involving the ferry Aratere on June 21, 2024, when the crew mistakenly activated the autopilot while navigating out of Picton Harbor. At the time, the ferry was carrying 47 individuals, including 39 crew members and eight passengers. Fortunately, salvors refloated the vessel the next day without any oil spills or hull breaches.
Investigations by Maritime NZ revealed that the grounding was due to a failure in the ferry’s steering system, which had recently been updated. The crew lacked the necessary knowledge to operate the new autopilot system, leading to the incident. Maritime NZ identified deficiencies in KiwiRail’s management processes, particularly in training, documentation, and the oversight of critical steering functions. Kirstie Hewlett, Maritime NZ’s Director, emphasized the importance of crew familiarity with safety-critical systems, particularly in emergencies.
Following the investigation, KiwiRail was charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and pleaded guilty to two counts. A Wellington District Court judge subsequently ordered the company to pay a fine of NZ$375,000 ($219,860) along with NZ$25,000 ($14,655) in costs. This incident highlights the necessity for proper training and familiarization for crews when new safety-critical equipment is introduced.
The Aratere, which had served for 25 years, was retired in August 2024 and sold for scrap. Throughout its service, the vessel faced numerous controversies, including technical issues and previous groundings. KiwiRail has also faced scrutiny for a prior incident in 2023 when another ferry experienced a blackout while carrying over 800 passengers, attributed to poor maintenance practices. The company is currently navigating fleet replacement challenges amid political disputes over contracts.
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