A ferry in New Zealand ran aground on Friday evening during a crossing between the islands. The government described the incident as “very worrying”. No one was injured.
The Interislander Aratere, operated by state-owned KiwiRail, ran aground near the town of Picton on the north coast of the South Island. According to Transport Minister Simeon Brown, a recently installed technical device on board failed, causing the ship to lose its steering ability. Brown said independent investigations have been launched.
The ferry reached the south coast of New Zealand shortly after 10pm on Friday evening. The seafarers’ union warned that the failure could have catastrophic consequences in bad weather. 47 people – eight truck drivers and 39 crew members – had to spend the night on board the stranded ferry. Saturday morning they had been on the ship for almost 13 hours. The ferry was then evacuated around 11am.
Government concerned about the state of infrastructure
Transport Secretary Brown said the government was “very disappointed” with the state of ferry maintenance when it took over. “What happened last night is incredibly concerning,” Brown continued.
Salvage plan and investigations
KiwiRail has drawn up a coordinated recovery plan in collaboration with the Harbor Master, Maritime New Zealand and Port Marlborough New Zealand. This includes stabilizing the ship after it has been recovered and anchoring it safely overnight.
Investigation is intended to clarify the cause of the technical defect and reveal possible consequences for the future.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
