By TONY GEE
KOHUKOHU - Allegations of late-night "harbour wheelies" by a 175-tonne ferry between Rawene and Kohukohu are being investigated.
The 33m Kohu Ra Tuarua is owned by the Far North District Council and operated by council-linked company Impact Services.
The ferry is said to have been driven in continuous circles and to have performed the marine equivalent of "wheelies" for revellers.
On October 28, a car broke through the front safety barrier during a spin. Although the vehicle did not go into the harbour, the owner's complaint is being investigated by the Maritime Safety Authority.
Ferry operations manager for Impact Services Grant Potter said passengers asked for that spin. He said there had been no other specific complaints about the ferry's movements late at night, although a district councillor had written alleging several other incidents.
One complaint from a Kohukohu couple, shown to the Herald, said that at 11.30 pm on October 21, on a trip organised by the Arts Council, the ferry was driven in continuous circles on the harbour.
The complainants believed the incident was unprofessional and endangered passengers.
A regular ferry user said the vessel travelled nearly as fast sideways as forwards because of its jet propulsion and thruster units.
"People have had to hang on while it's been spinning out, and if someone fell overboard they could be sucked into the jet intakes."
He has written to district council chief executive Clive Manley seeking an investigation.
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