Dire Straits - Aratere ferry investigation begins

The Aratere ferry has been put under a detention order while officials begin an investigation into how it ran aground.

Maritime NZ Director Kirstie Hewlett says Maritime NZ inspectors will place the 26-year-old Aratere under a detention order.

This will enable Maritime NZ to work closely with Aratere's Classification Society and KiwiRail to understand what happened before the vessel is able to move safely again and be released.

“Our investigators will also start an investigation into the grounding.

“They will carry out interviews, examine the scene and ferry, review documents and gather evidence.

“We will then decide what, if any, further action to take. The investigation is expected to take several months to complete.”

Only days before the accident, Transport Minister Simeon Brown raised concerns about KiwiRail's maintenance of its fleet.

But speaking to the Marlborough Weekly prior to the incident, Executive General Manager Interislander Duncan Roy said the three ferries were safe and reliable.

“We have competent people, rigorous processes and a programme of continuous improvement to ensure our ships are safe and our service is reliable.

“Our three ships are the workhorses of Cook Strait.”

Teams who worked tirelessly throughout Friday following the accident have been commended for their actions.

Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor is extending her thanks to all those involved in the multi-agency response to refloat the Aratere in Picton Harbour.

She is paying tribute to the emergency response teams, calling them “a credit to Picton, Marlborough and New Zealand.”

“Thank you to Harbourmaster Jake Oliver and the Nautical and Coastal team, Port Marlborough’s marine team including the pilots and tug operators, our emergency response teams - Marlborough Civil Defence and Emergency Management, FENZ, Police, St John - Maritime New Zealand, KiwiRail, Coastguard and Council's environmental management team. Well done to you all.

“This response was a team effort of professional and capable mariners and emergency responders who have achieved a wonderful outcome.

“I'd like to thank every single person involved - you are a credit to Picton, Marlborough and New Zealand,” she said.

The grounded Aratere ferry was finally free almost 24 hours after first becoming stranded in inner Picton Harbour north of Bobs Bay on Friday evening.

Underway using her own power and heading offshore, the ferry was successfully refloated and is now docked at Picton Harbour under a detention order.

Mayor Taylor praised the response time to the incident.

“The speed of the response on site on Friday night is to be commended and many stayed throughout the night to assist,” says the Mayor.

“Council has particularly appreciated the close working relationship with Port Marlborough as part of the response effort and the use of the two tugs that proved they really could – the Maungatea and Monowai.”

Council’s Nautical and Coastal team will continue to work with KiwiRail and Port Marlborough alongside Maritime New Zealand on the next steps, Mayor Taylor says.

“Oil spill booms will be placed around the Aratere once docked as a precautionary measure to ensure any environmental risk is mitigated. “Once the immediate response is over, Council’s Coastal Scientists will also conduct environmental surveys to assess any impact to the site.”

Port Marlborough CE Rhys Welbourn says the teams all showed their professionalism.

"We are pleased with the successful operation and with the collaborative and positive work shown by all parties involved.

“The teams have shown their responsiveness and professionalism, and I’m very proud of our people here at Port Marlborough for their contributions to the recovery."