the ongoing woes of the Aratere

The Aratere upon her return to Wellington from Singapore in September. (Anthony Phelps)

As those who have the book Strait Crossing: the ferries of Cook Strait through time know, the Aratere ferry of the Interislander has had more than its fair share of technical problems since delivery in 1998. After more problems following the ship's return from Singapore for its mid-ship lengthening (see earlier post) the ferry has been banned by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) from commercial operations. The ship ferry was successfully tested last night but remains banned until MNZ gives the go-ahead.

MNZ yesterday ordered operator KiwiRail to stop operating the ferry until mechanical system failures were resolved and it was safe for passengers and crew. The order came after the Wellington-bound Aratere suffered reduced power in the Tory Channel in the Marlborough Sounds on Tuesday night - the second time in a month the newly refurbished ship had had mechanical problems.

Last month, NZ First party leader Winston Peters said the $53 million worth of alterations to the Aratere had ended in a dysfunctional shambles and demanded Steven Joyce explain just how it ended up that way. Apart from the mechanical problems, the freight capacity for trucks was actually reduced.

In the meantime, passengers and freight customers booked on the ferry had been contacted and alternative arrangements made. A MNZ spokeswoman said inspectors were aboard the vessel outlining the steps which needed to be taken before the ferry could resume operating.