JUST DAYS after the NZ Government declared current KiwiRail Cook Strait ferries could remain in service until newbuilds arrive in 2029, the ro-pax Kaiarahi has broken down – again.
Although initial reports suggested the vessel had to be towed back to Wellington after departing for Picton around 1300 hrs NZ time today – with passengers onboard advised accordingly – KiwiRail later clarified Kaiarahi had rstayed in Wellington Harbour after crew detected a technical issue, a temperature fault related to a lubrication pump.
KiwiRail told Radio New Zealand the ship had remained in the harbour “as a precaution” while investigations took place.
“The fault was quickly resolved and the vessel is now on its way to Picton, around an hour behind schedule,” a statement from a spokesperson said.
The vessel has suffered a series of relatively minor problems over the past 18 months, after suffering a major gearbox failure ion 2021 that saw it out of service for many months while new parts were manufactured.
Subsequently the 1998-built ship broke down in Wellington Harbour in June 2023, blew a generator while returning from Singapore drydock in September that year, had voyages cancelled that November due to electrical faults and soon after sustained a holed bow after striking a Wellington terminal fender and, this year had sailings cancelled after a lifeboat system fault in March, and then suffered bow ramp problems in April.
A DNV assessment found Kaiarahi had near-obsolescent bridge, communications, engine control and monitoring systems.
The NZ Government, which cancelled the iReX Cook Strait ferry replacement project in December 2023 due to expected landside infrastructure cost overruns, last week announced the procurement of two smaller ferries which, however, are unlikely to be available for another five years.
The decision and timeline has been ridiculed by opposition politicians and sections of the business community.
