Interislander ferry sailings resume after passengers evacuated due to security threat

Friday, 18 October 2019

Passengers allowed back on board the Kaitaki in Wellington after security threat.

A threat forced the Interislander ferry Kaitaki to turn back to Wellington five minutes after it set sail on Friday morning.

Passengers were evacuated and asked to hand in their car keys as police responded to reports of an 'item of concern' on-board.

A passenger's video from onboard the Interislander.

Passenger Barry Thompson said the police initially asked passengers to remain on the Kaitaki, congregating on level eight.

'They [sent] the dogs through to identify any possible danger to the passengers and crew.'

Police are a the Interislander terminal in Wellington, where they are investigating a threat on board a ferry.

* Five or more dogs may have died on Cook Strait ferry**

By 10.20am he was standing in a queue to hand in his car keys with about 100 other people. Cars were still on-board and passengers were told they would be checked by police.

Police were alerted to the threat at 9.05am and the ferry then returned to the dock.

Police are outside the Interislander ferry terminal in Wellington.

'They escalated the response quickly,' Thompson said, 'First, passengers were told to return to their cars and take them off, but it turned into a full 'abandon ship'.

'Car owners were told they must hand in their car keys to police.'

Another passenger said everyone disembarked, and they were not told anything further than there was 'a suspicious item on board'.

About 11.30am police confirmed there was no suspicious item on-board and no cause for concern, and cordons were being stood down.

KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said there were ongoing disruptions to the timetable on Friday due to the incident.

Cars are being diverted away from the entrance to the Wellington terminal.

'The disruption is regretted, but safety is pararmount.'

Earlier, police said they received a call at 9.05am about an item of concern on a Interislander ferry which departed Wellington at 9am.

Cordons were put in place in the Aotea Quay area around the ferry terminal and people were advised to avoid the area.

Passengers gathered in the terminal after being evacuated and once a sweep of the ferry was completed, they were boarded once more. The Kaitaki left the Wellington port and headed to Picton just after noon.

Anna, who plays music on the boat, said there was a bit of nervousness but everyone seemed very relaxed, talking to other passengers.

Interislander staff have been 'just amazing', she said, handing out free food and water.

Police enquiries were continuing to identify the person who made the threat.