Ferry Operator Faces Charges For Failing To Protect Passengers During Grounding

Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail, operator of Inter-Island ferries, after completing a detailed investigation into the grounding of the ferry Aratere, which occurred north of Picton, New Zealand, on June 21, 2024.

At the time of the incident, there were 47 people on board, including passengers and crew. Fortunately, no one was injured, and all were safely transported back to shore. The vessel was successfully refloated the next evening using two harbor tugs.

The two charges have been filed under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Maritime NZ claims that the ferry operator KiwiRail failed to protect the safety of the crew and passengers while they were on board.

According to Maritime NZ’s Chief Executive Kirstie Hewlett, the incident was complex and required a wide-ranging investigation. She said the inquiry looked closely at how KiwiRail had introduced new technology on an older ferry, as well as the company’s overall safety systems.

The investigation involved examining KiwiRail’s internal policies, procedures, and workplace culture related to the incident. Numerous interviews were conducted and a large amount of documents and other evidence was reviewed.

While Maritime NZ has not revealed further details, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) published an interim report in October 2024. According to that report, the grounding happened because the crew did not know how to switch off the ferry’s autopilot after realising it was steering the ship toward land.

The Aratere had recently been upgraded with a new steering control system, designed to integrate with the ship’s autopilot and navigation bridge systems.

On the day of the incident, the ferry was being operated by a master who was returning to the vessel after working on other ships. He was in the process of re-familiarising himself with the Aratere, and was responsible for both engine control and navigation at the time.

Just months before the Aratere grounding, in September 2023, the company was fined around USD 266,000 after another serious incident involving its ferry Kaitaki, which took place in January of that year.

In May 2025, KiwiRail announced plans to retire the Aratere in August, ending its 25-year service history. The ferry has been operating since 1999 and is the only vessel in the Interislander fleet equipped to carry rail wagons. It has been making about 24 trips across the Cook Strait every week.

The Aratere is 184 meters long and weighs 17,816 tonnes. It has the capacity to carry up to 600 passengers, along with 30 trucks or 230 cars, and 28 rail wagons. However, its career has been troubled by ongoing technical problems, engine failures, and now the high-profile grounding incident in 2024.

Because of its repeated issues over the years, some have jokingly referred to the ferry as “El Lemon,” suggesting it has been unlucky throughout its time in service.

Reference: maritimenz

Source: Maritime Shipping News