KAITAKI

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Two stabiliser fins missing since more thant 18 months

The 'Kaitaki' has been missing one of two stabiliser fins for more than 18 months, meaning sailings were cancelled on the niight of July 1, 2024. KiwiRail announced that all sailings between Wellington and Picton would be cancelled until the morning of July 4 due to heavy swells and rough weather. All sailings only involved the 'Kaitaki', as the 'Kaiarahi' is undergoing a month-long wet docking in Picton, and the 'Aratere' is still under detention and repair following its steering failure and grounding outside Picton on June 21. KiwiRail’s fleet of three ferries has stabilisers and can sail amid choppy conditions. Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy confirmed KiwiRail discovered one of the 'Kaitaki'’s stabilisers was missing during the ferry’s last dry dock in Sydney in Sep 2022. Manufacture and fitting of a new stabiliser could not be achieved during that dry dock and the work was programmed into the vessel’s long-term maintenance plan. Stabilisers, however, did not relate to vessel safety. They were about comfort and helped reduce the vessel’s movement for passengers and livestock. The issue had not materially affected the ship’s performance.

KiwiRail will face court after power loss

KiwiRail will face court after the 'Kaitaki' lost power and issued a mayday call while near Wellington’s south coast ion Jan 18, 2023. Maritime New Zealand today confirmed it has filed a single charge against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act, after an investigation into procedures around safety and maintenance. The Kaitaki had more than 800 people on board for its 2.15 p.m. sailing to Wellington that day. Shortly before 5 p.m., the ship reported engine problems. Ten minutes later, it issued a mayday call after all four engines shut down amid a raging southerly. The engines automatically turned off to prevent them overheating. The mayday call sparked an immediate response from emergency services and the public as the ferry came dangerously close to rocks. Six other vessels swiftly made their way to the Kaitaki, including the Aratere, police patrol vessel the 'Lady Elizabeth IV', two tugs, a pilot boat and a fishing boat. Five rescue helicopters were also called and a cordon was erected at Owhiro Bay Pde near Red Rocks. One of the largest 4WD clubs in the country was called in to help and 30 vehicles made their way to the south coast with blankets, woollen hats and hot water. Around 7 p.m., all four engines were restarted and the ferry safely made its way into Wellington Harbour. The investigation took 12 months; it involved reviewing the operator’s organisational information relevant to processes and procedures connected to safety and maintenance management, undertaking interviews and examining the Kaitaki after the incident occurred. Material was then comprehensively reviewed before the decision was made to prosecute.

Ferry returned to Wellington due to steering control system issue

The 'Kaitaki' suffered a steering problem in the night of Aug 9, 2023, and was forced to abort a crossing, leaving passengers stuck on board overnight. The ferry had sailed from Wellington at 8.30 p.m., headed for Picton, when it developed issues with the steering control system just out of the Wellington heads, 1,5 hours into the voyage. The 'Kaitaki' retained full steering control via a backup system and returned to Wellington harbour, where it anchored. To ensure safety, the ship’s master decided it would not berth at Kaiwharawhara without being guided by tugs, which were not available until Aug 10 at around 7 a.m. The crew had fixed the issue on Aug 10 at 9 a.m. and left the port en route to Picton. There were only about 20 cars on board so everyone had got a cabin for the night, primarily commercial vehicle drivers.