Interislander ferry Kaitaki arrives in Wellington after mayday with 800 passengers on board

The Interislander ferry has arrived safely back in Wellington with 800 passengers after an earlier mayday call in the Cook Strait.

The boat, Kaitaki, arrived at the Kaiwharawhara ferry terminal after it lost power, according to KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy.

Power was restored but it had to be accompanied by tug boats on its journey as a precaution.

Wellington regional harbourmaster Grant Nalder earlier said the engines had been tested and the result was positive.

He said the anchors were being pulled up, but he warned the process to get back to shore would be slow.

Reidy confirmed the 2.15pm sailing from Picton temporarily lost propulsion power near the end of its journey to Wellington.

Positive to hear that power has been restored to the Kaitaki. KiwiRail have been keeping in touch with Ministers about the issue and their work to safely bring the vessel back to port. https://t.co/MoTNHucVq3

— Michael Wood (@michaelwoodnz) January 28, 2023

About 800 passengers were on board as well as about 80 crew, he said.

Everyone onboard was safe, however, as was standard practice, life jackets had been issued as a precaution, he said.

“Tug boats have left Wellington and will be used to assist if required as Kaitaki makes her way back to the Kaiwharawhara terminal.”

Authorities had been notified and a special team has been stood up to co-ordinate the response, Reidy said.

“We are focused on ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of passengers, are keeping them updated, and will offer additional support when they arrive into Wellington.”

KiwiRail will investigate the cause of the temporary loss of power.

A passenger on board said the ferry had limited power with two engines back up and running.

They said two tug boats and a pilot boat have arrived.

“We are all in life jackets at assembly points. I can hear engines going.”

The ferry had been making its way towards Wellington when it lost all power.

“They weren’t able to restore it, they were drifting, they’ve got an anchor down, and they declared a mayday,” Nalder had told the Herald.

The AIS ship tracker showed several vessels rushing to the Kaitaki’s aid.

The AIS ship tracker shows the ferry was in a difficult spot with several vessels rushing to its aid. Image / Screenshot

Nalder said earlier tug boats were heading in the direction of the ferry, but the conditions were rough.

He said the ship had been blown towards the shore and described the situation as serious.

pic.twitter.com/GiMeaF34ay

— James Graham (@JPGnz) January 28, 2023

Kaitaki seems to have put down its anchor. Tugs and other vessels on their way to help by the looks. pic.twitter.com/rden4ZQcEE

— Ross P (@Rosspnz) January 28, 2023

Kaitaki? pic.twitter.com/n6yHB968Qg

— nzfatmatt (@nzfatmatt) January 28, 2023

Apparently help is on the way. Everyone in life jackets, passengers being counted. 5.19pm

— Lorna (@moukenainzo) January 28, 2023

In the cook Strait. Ferry lost power. Dropped anchors. Terrified. Trying to stay calm.

— Kitty Fitton - Just Me (@kitty_just_me) January 28, 2023

Nalder said the ferry had been southwest of Sinclear Head off Wellington’s South Coast.

Earlier, a passenger said they were terrified but were trying to stay calm.

Another passenger said the ferry was stranded about an hour out of Wellington.

”The motor’s cut out at about 5 o’clock and the captain has been updating us. We have donned the life jackets for safety reasons, just as a precaution.

“Anchors have been put down and are holding and we are currently waiting I believe on some tug boats and a pilot boat to come out and assist.”