Dire Strait: Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry forced to turn back after hitting wharf

Cargo and passengers are being disembarked after the incident. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Bluebridge ferry has been forced to turn back this morning after it hit a wharf on its way out of Wellington.

Harbourmaster Grant Nalder confirmed that the Connemara was damaged at about 8.15am.

“There is some paint that’s been scraped, there’s some damage to the hull,” Nalder said.

There is also a small hole above the water line, he said.

Nalder said Bluebridge made the decision to bring the ship back and passengers and cargo are being disembarked.

“It happens, these ships go in and out many times a day and occasionally it doesn’t go to plan and this is one of these times.

“It’s not a common occurrence but it’s not unheard of either.”

Maritime New Zealand is aware of the incident and initial information suggested there was no hole in the ship’s hull.

StraitNZ Bluebridge spokesman Will Dady said the Connemara “nudged” the wharf, causing minor damage to the wharf and the ship’s hull above the waterline.

”While the damage to the hull is minor, it is being repaired which means we have had to cancel this morning’s sailing from Wellington and the return journey from Picton this afternoon,” Dady said.

“We hope to return the ship to service tonight.”

Dady says the company is working to reschedule its passengers on other sailings and apologises for the inconvenience caused.

CentrePort said in a statement that its engineers are on site assessing damage to Glasgow Wharf.

“Glasgow Wharf is the back-up wharf for StraitNZ Bluebridge ferries and will be unavailable until engineers provide clearance that it is safe to use. Connemara is now berthed at the main ferry berth used by StraitNZ.”

Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.