Emergency services alerted to leak on ferry

Emergency services were alerted to a possible chemical spill on a ferry sailing between Wellington and Picton this morning.

Police said Toll NZ notified the fire service after an unidentified substance was seen leaking from a rail wagon on the Aratere as the ship headed towards Picton.

Toll NZ spokeswoman Sue Foley said the spill involved a small amount of what appeared to be phosphate and emergency services were alerted as a precautionary measure.

She said it was a freight-only sailing and the spillage didn't pose any danger to crew.

- NZPA