Aratere bridge crew union lawyer slams NZ First ‘coffee run’ tweet

Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Marlborough Harbourmaster Jake Oliver says the response would have been more complicated if the Aratere incident had happened in Cook Strait.

Union lawyers representing the Aratere bridge crew have slammed NZ First for claiming the ferry crew may have switched on autopilot and gone for a coffee before the ship grounded.

New Zealand First on Tuesday posted on social media, asking if it was true the Interislander ferry had autopilot on while someone went for a coffee, “then couldn’t turn the autopilot off in time when that someone came back…?”

The ship suffered a steering issue in June just after leaving port in Picton and ended up ploughing on to a Marlborough Sounds beach.

Troy Stade, a union lawyer representing the ferry’s bridge crew, on Wednesday “categorically” ruled out any suggestion any beverages were involved in the incident.

Passengers being unloaded by lifeboat to a water taxi after the Aratere run aground in Picton harbour.

The NZ First post was “completely inappropriate” – given it came from a party in government and because it spread unfounded rumours while there were official investigations into the grounding.

Marlborough harbourmaster Jake Oliver confirmed the Aratere was allowed to have autopilot activated at the point it lost steering and grounded.

Oliver couldn’t comment on whether the ship had autopilot activated on June 21, when a steering issue as it left Picton saw it drive up on to a beach. That detail would come out during an investigation, he said.

But he could confirm the rules allowed autopilot to be used in the area as long as a person could take over if needed.

Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said there was a regulated number of qualified people who needed to be on the ship’s bridge at all times.

“We meet this without exception – including on the night of the grounding. As formal investigations are ongoing, we will not be making further comment.”

Following testing, Maritime NZ has lifted the detention notice on the Aratere but with conditions.

Initially, the Aratere will carry crew and rail freight only — for four return sailings — then trucks and their drivers, followed by a limited passenger service, and then full capacity sailings, Maritime NZ director Kirstie Hewlett said on Wednesday.

Maritime NZ Inspectors will also undertake an audit on the Interislander fleet in the coming weeks. This will look at its processes, procedures, training, risk management as well as looking at how it brings on new equipment and familiarises its personnel.