Astronauts contemplate the setting for 'Strait Crossing'

"That's New Zealand down there."
"Yes, it's beautiful isn't it?"
"Did you know that ferries used to sail along that coast between Wellington and Lyttelton and between Wellington and Nelson?"
"Yes, there's a transpress book about them called Strait Crossing coming soon."
"It'll be a great book, I'm looking forward to it."