Cruise ships prompt Waiheke ferry cancellations, 'urgent intervention' requested

Tuesday, 21 January 2020

Locals from across Waiheke Island gathered at Morra Hall in Oneroa in June to listen to what Fullers had to say about their concerns with the ferry service to and from Auckland city (Video first published October 2019).

An Auckland ferry service provider has asked authorities to urgently intervene following service disruptions caused by cruise ships.

Cruise ships berthing in the harbour at downtown Auckland have meant four Fullers 360 ferry services have been cancelled in the past week, preventing hundreds of commuters from getting to work on time.

Jenny Nicholls, who uses the Waiheke Island ferry every day to get to work in the Auckland CBD, said she was frustrated that her 7.30am service continued to be cancelled for cruise ships berthing in the harbour.

Three ferry sailings from Waiheke Island to Auckland's CBD have been cancelled in the past week.

Since January 14, three ferry sailings, which have a capacity of 400, have been cancelled, she said.

**READ MORE:

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded at Matiatia Ferry Terminal on Waiheke Island as the 7.30am service to Auckland was cancelled.

* Fullers ferry breakdown leaves hundreds stranded in Auckland’s Devonport

* Faster reform of Waiheke Island ferry services needed: MP Nikki Kaye

* Waiheke ferry row: Fullers boss to meet mayor in wake of 'spirited' ferry meeting

* Fullers taking 'customers for granted' over Waiheke Island ferry service - councillor

* Unreliable Stanley Bay ferry service comes under Auckland Transport control**

'It seems to be happening much more often this year,' Nicholls said.

'It's really worrying – the cruise liners should surely park during the night to avoid holding up ferry commuters who, like all workers, need to get to their jobs, lectures, appointments and meetings, or catch planes, buses or trains.'

On Tuesday morning, Nicholls said the queue at Matiatia Ferry Terminal was full of people rearranging their travel plans or letting their bosses know they would be late for work.

'The Fullers ferry captain apologised to us – it must be just as annoying for them.'

But Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan argued the cruise ships were not responsible for the cancellations, as there were no restrictions for ferries wishing to leave or enter the basin at any time.

'Ultimately the decision to enter or leave the ferry basin is the call of the master of a vessel,' he said.

'The decision not to run some services this morning was made by the operator Fullers.'

The Harbourmaster prohibits cruise ships from entering the port due to increased harbour traffic between 7.30am and 9am, and 4.30pm and 6pm Monday to Friday, however the Ports of Auckland was responsible for scheduling cruise ship arrivals and departures from the port.

Fullers 360 chief executive officer Mike Horne said its team was working 'exceptionally hard' to honour its schedule over the busy summer period, however cruise ships berthing outside of their schedule had caused 'significant disruptions', which meant services had to be altered in the moment.

Horne said cruise ship thrusts while berthing caused water turbulence, resulting in 'extreme and unpredictable' movements for ferries, which put customers and staff at risk.

'We will not compromise the safety of our customers and our people.

'We have requested an urgent intervention with Auckland authorities and those that oversee the cruise ship activity to find an immediate and long-term solution for everybody,' he said.

On the Fullers 360 website, a travel alert was posted early on Tuesday morning to warn commuters that cruise ships had arrived at Princess Wharf and Queens Wharf.

It said the ships were due to depart at 7pm and 10pm and 'could have an impact on all our ferry services'.

That included Auckland City, Bayswater, Beach Haven, Birkenhead, Devonport, Hobsonville Point and Waiheke Island services.

The alert said commuters should allow extra travel time as it is unsafe for ferries to move while a cruise ship is maneuvering in the ferry basin.

'Due to high volume of cruise ship visitors, there may be larger queues and possible delays as boarding will take longer.'

It advised that the 6.45am service from Auckland to Devonport and the return service was cancelled because of a ship berthing at Princess Wharf.

Nicholls also received an alert at 7.09am that the Waiheke Island to Auckland ferry at 7.30am had been cancelled.

Another travel alert said the 9.30am Auckland to Waiheke Island service would be delayed.