[ad_1]
The results of their assessment have been shared with the Class Surveyor who is on board the Aratere today. They must be satisfied that the issues have been correctly identified and addressed to appropriate safety and marine protection standards before they can issue a Class Certificate to the vessel.
Roy said the signing was crucial to Alatre’s departure from Picton and return to service.
“We are providing the findings of this assessment to Maritime New Zealand, who will need to confirm the vessel is safe to sail before the detention order can be lifted. We cannot say how long this will take.”
Maritime New Zealand chief executive Kirstie Hewlett said investigators and inspectors had boarded the vessel, inspected the scene, gathered information, reviewed manuals and records, and interviewed relevant personnel.
The investigation is expected to take months. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is also investigating.
A spokesman for the Straits New Zealand service said the Cook Strait competitor Blue Bridge had been carrying inter-island passengers and cargo as far as capacity allowed.
The Kaitaki is the only ferry currently operating from the Interislander fleet, with the Aratere detained and the Kaiarahi out of service for maintenance.
As of Friday, all passengers and cargo booked on the Aratere had been transferred to the Kaitaki.
However, sailings at Kaitaki were cancelled from Tuesday night to Thursday morning due to the possibility of swells in excess of four metres in the Cook Strait and strong southerly winds.
“We are working hard to move passengers to weekend Ketaki sailings and working with our cargo customers to prioritize cargo,” Roy said.
“We do have full ferry capacity on Sunday and Monday which will help clear potential backlogs and meet school holiday demand.”
Roy said the Kearahi was expected to return from wet dock this Saturday, the start of the school holidays, provided the sea trials were completed successfully.
“This will help ensure we can provide capacity over the holiday period.”
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based journalist with a special interest in local government, transport and earthquake issues. She has joined The Herald In 2019, he worked as a broadcast journalist.
[ad_2]
Source link
