Ferry frustrations hit Cook Strait again

JUST days after one of StraitNZ’s Bluebridge Cook Strait ro-paxes was obliged to return to port, stranding passengers and freight thanks to a stern ramp failure, the fleetmate has been unable to sail due to overloading.

Peak holiday traffic movements have been seriously disrupted by the incidents, the first involving Connemara [DCN 9 December] and the second, yesterday afternoon [11 December] Livia.

In what has been attributed to a change in weather conditions that affect safe loading levels, Bluebridge determined that the fully-laden Livia did not meet safety requirements for the 1330 departure from Wellington to Picton.

Local mainstream and social media reported the ship’s Master called for 65 volunteers amongst embarked passengers to return to the terminal, with foot passengers prioritised otherwise the entire ship may need to be unloaded, to remove accompanied vehicles.

An hour later 15 volunteers were still required, according to reports, and following the completion of necessary paperwork, it was after 1700 when Livia finally departed.

Bluebridge said an error had occurred in allowing stand-by passengers – many re-allocations after Connemara’s problems – to board first.

“Amidst the effort to accommodate as many people as possible impacted by a mechanical on our other vessel, stand-by passengers were inadvertently boarded prior to this afternoon’s sailing. When the error was identified, a request for 36 passengers to voluntarily remain in Wellington was made,” a spokesman said.

 “We’re extremely sorry about this mistake and are grateful to those that agreed to disembark the sailing.

 “It’s been a difficult few days following the mechanical issue on the Connemara and we apologise again for the disruption caused to our valued passengers and freight customers. We’re doing absolutely everything we can to get back on schedule as quickly as possible.”

Repairs to Connemara’s stern ramp were expected to be completed in time for today’s 2030 sailing from Wellington.

Cook Strait peak season traffic had already been squeezed, thanks to KiwiRail’s decision to withdraw its sole rail/ro-pax, Aratere, in August. Renamed Vega after a sale for demolition that ship remains at anchor off Nelson awaiting import clearances need before proceeding to Indian breakers.