A RATHER FRAUGHT YEAR for the New Zealand maritime scene has continued towards the end, with two further incidents late last week to add to groundings, strandings and a major sinking.
On Friday [27 December] the 0845 sailing of Interisland Line’s ro-pax Kaitaki from Wellington to Pcton was hit by “a significant roll while passing near the Karori lighthouse area”, according to a bulletin from KiwiRail.
“As a result, some passenger vehicles shifted and sustained damage. One passenger suffered a minor injury, and our crew provided immediate medical assistance.
“Interislander is supporting affected customers, and a full assessment is being conducted following the vessel’s arrival in Picton,” the company said.
Photos posted on social media showed vehicles in disarray on the ferry’s weather deck, as well as huge seas crashing over the vessel’s bow in Cook Strait. KiwiRail subsequently advised it was cancelling Picton-Wellington and return sailings due to the bad weather, which was caused by a lingering low-pressure system.
Meanwhile, in the early hours of Boxing Day [26 December] South Port [Bluff]’s pilot launch Takitimu II ran aground at Sterling Point as it was on its way to a vessel arrival.
South Port general manager Geoff Finnerty said the three crew was safe and the vessel had been taken back to port for inspection. An investigation into the incident is now under way. The movement was postponed.
Coastguard were deployed, and Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre were also notified.
A Maritime NZ spokesperson told The Press the organisation was aware of the incident but referred all comment to South Port.
Local observers, commenting on social media, said the harbour had been blanketed by fog at the time (c. 0445).
