Passengers stranded for hours as aging Aratere ferry stalls in Cook Strait during midnight crossing
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What was meant to be a routine overnight crossing on the Aratere ferry turned into an hours-long ordeal for passengers when the ship experienced an electrical fault midway between Picton to Wellington.The ferry departed Picton at around 8:50 pm on Wednesday(June 11). Those aboard, seven commercial truck drivers and four foot passengers, were startled minutes later when the vessel 'experienced an unexpected issue with its propulsion drive.'The ferry anchored in Cook Strait , and passengers were told to expect a wait. Only at around 1 am was the fault resolved, and the Aratere resumed on a revised schedule, now expected to arrive at 5 am.For some, the wait was long and nerve-racking. One driver, who asked not to be named, described the hours of uncertainty: 'It was eerie. Just four of us on deck, the engines silent, darkness all around.' Interislander crews maintained calm, offering updates and reassurance.Once docked in Wellington early Thursday, KiwiRail confirmed the effects: the 6:15 am Wellington–Picton sailing and the 11 am Picton–Wellington return were both cancelled to allow for deeper investigation and ensure safety.A company spokesperson said all affected travelers have been re‑booked or offered refunds, and that there will be no extra charges for changes.Interislander's Executive GM Duncan Roy, speaking the next morning, clarified that although the propulsion automated reset failed, the vessel retained at least half power and posed no immediate danger. Still, he emphasized that any ongoing disruptions would be met with customer care and follow-up testing.This incident follows a previous breakdown in April involving a hydraulic pump and underscores a pattern of technical troubles aboard the Aratere.The Aratere, introduced in 1999 and expanded in 2011 to handle 650 passengers, 230 cars, and 28 rail wagons, is Interislander's only rail‑enabled ferry.It has had its share of issues over the years, including a grounding in June 2024 when its autopilot failed and the crew couldn't override it.Given its unreliable record, KiwiRail has already announced plans to retire the vessel by August 30, making way for port redevelopment in Picton ahead of new rail‑enabled ferries expected in 2029.
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