The Bluebridge ferry Connemara is stuck in Picton after an issue with the ramp has left passengers unable to disembark.
The ferry left Wellington shortly after 8am and arrived in Picton just before midday.
Passenger Nick Simcock said those onboard had been told theramp was stuck and staff had been working for the past two and a half hours to free it.
“We boarded in Wellington about 8am, and it was a great sailing across [Cook Strait], but we arrived about midday and no one has been able to get on or off the ferry. The back door ramp is firmly stuck,” Simcock said.
“It’s something to do with the mechanism; the pins are stuck that lock the door into position.”
The ramp on the Connemara is stuck and preventing passengers from disembarking.
Simcock is heading to the Marlborough Sounds for a fishing and diving trip with friends, and he said they were keen to get off the ferry so they could get on with that.
“Everyone is resigned to the fact, I think, we have been down this road before with the ferries here.”
StraitNZ spokesman Will Dady confirmed there was an issue lowering the ramp when the Connemara berthed in Picton on Wednesday afternoon.
“Our engineers worked as quickly as possible to rectify the problem, but unfortunately it did mean passengers were delayed in disembarking the vessel. We sincerely apologise to the passengers on board for this inconvenience,” he said.
