NZ First questions whether Interislander’s Aratere ferry ran aground after autopilot was left on

NZ First has questioned whether Interislander’s Aratere ferry ran aground after the ship was put on autopilot, someone went away for a coffee and couldn’t turn the autopilot off when they returned.

Maritime New Zealand has cautioned that “conjecture” about the cause of the incident is unhelpful while an investigation continues, and KiwiRail says the “regulated number of qualified people” were on the ship’s bridge on the night of the grounding.

The Aratere left Picton at 9.45pm on June 21 before suffering a reported steering failure and running aground shortly after. It is berthed at Waimahara Wharf in Picton and remains under a detention order. The ship cannot leave until Maritime NZ says it is safe.

NZ First, a coalition Government party, posed the extraordinary question on X this afternoon about what might have gone wrong.

“Is it true that the Aratere ran aground when someone put the autopilot on, went for a coffee, and then couldn’t turn the autopilot off in time when that someone came back...?”, the party posted.

“If so, why haven’t the public been told that?”

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The Herald is seeking comment from the party about the claim but it is yet to receive a response.

Asked whether NZ First’s post was correct, Maritime New Zealand said in a statement that an investigation into the grounding was ongoing.

“Conjecture around the cause of the incident is unhelpful, as the cause of the incident is currently being investigated by both Maritime NZ and TAIC [Transport Accident Investigation Commission].

“These investigations will determine what occurred to cause the vessel to ground.”

Is it true that the Aratere ran aground when someone put the autopilot on, went for a coffee, and then couldn’t turn the autopilot off in time when that someone came back…?

If so, why haven’t the public been told that?

— New Zealand First (@nzfirst) July 9, 2024

Maritime New Zealand has previously said its investigation is expected to take months.

Marlborough Harbourmaster Jake Oliver said he could not comment on NZ First’s post because investigations were continuing.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown also referred to the investigations and said: “I look forward to the outcome of those investigations.”

KiwiRail’s Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy said KiwiRail would not normally respond to speculation while an investigation was under way.

“However, we can say that there is a regulated number of qualified people who need to be in attendance on the ship’s bridge at all times, and we meet this without exception – including on the night of the grounding.

“As formal investigations are ongoing, we will not be making further comment.”

The Aratere ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds last month after a steering failure. Photo / Tim Cuff

There were 47 people on board the Aratere when it grounded last month and they had to stay the night on board before being safely escorted off the ship.

The ferry was refloated and Roy recently reported good progress had been made to return it to service.

No breach had been found in any part of its hull.

Experts from Norway, Singapore and Australia had been brought in to assess the ship, Roy said.

“The assessments have been shared with a class surveyor, who was on board the Aratere yesterday. The class surveyor has now provided class signoff, which is a crucial step towards the Aratere being able to leave Picton and return to service.

“We have provided the assessments and other information to Maritime NZ, which needs to be satisfied the ship is safe to sail before lifting the detention order. We cannot give a timeframe for how long this will take.”