Figure eights in rough seas: Bluebridge engine woes sees ferry turn around twice

Matt Brown

The Bluebridge is traveling through the Marlborough Sounds this evening after an ordeal in the strait. Photo: Abby Edwards/Supplied.

Bluebridge ferry Connemara is limping into the Marlborough Sounds with only one engine firing on a marathon seven-hour trip, a passenger says.

Blenheim woman Abby Edwards has been on the Wellington to Picton ferry since 2pm and says it’s not expected to arrive in Picton until 9pm tonight.

But after hours of delays, rough seas and the ferry turning around in the Strait, twice, she’s just happy she will get to Picton today.

The ferry, which made its maiden voyage to Picton yesterday, was meant to sail this morning, but it was delayed until 2pm, says Abby. She booked a motel in Wellington to make the early sailing.

After two hours of sailing, she says it felt like they were only just out of Wellington.

Just after 4pm there was an announcement.

The ferry was turning around – going back to Wellington.

Abby says the other passengers weren’t happy with that.

“It was very frustrating when they first announced it,” she says.

“People around me cancelled their motel bookings in the South Island then rebooked in Wellington, then had to cancel them again.”

About forty minutes later, there was a second announcement – they were going to Picton after all.

“The people next to me yahoo’d and clapped,” Abby says.

Abby has been trying to book a return crossing of the Cook Strait since Saturday to attend her grandmother’s funeral.

Strait crossings have been severely disrupted by multiple ship failures and Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We got across to Wellington on Monday, but when grandma died last Friday night, we were trying to get a crossing over and back.

“We only managed to get a ticket on Sunday over for Monday.

“We were going to fly but we couldn't get any rental cars and to fly to Palmerston North with two kids was super expensive.”

Yesterday, she managed to book herself and her car for this morning’s 8am Bluebridge sailing.

“Everyone was really pissed off when they did the first announcement saying we're going back.

“When asking the crew what was going to happen, they were saying we would have to ring the 0800 number to find out.

“Everyone seems ok now.”

She says when she asked the crew, they told her the ship was operating on one engine, traveling at about ten knots.

“I'm obviously happy we are going to Picton but they could be doing a bit more.”

Bluebridge has been approached for comment.

Subscribe

Get local news delivered to your inbox

Stay informed with what’s happening in Marlborough with a free weekly newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every Friday morning, the Marlborough App newsletter recaps the week that’s been while highlighting what’s coming up over the weekend.

* indicates required