The stranded ferry Aratere has been refloated.
Marlborough’s Harbourmaster earlier confirmed an attempt to refloat the Aratere, which ran aground in the inner Picton Harbour on Friday night, would be made this evening around 9pm.
The refloating of Aratere, north of Bobs Bay, was achieved on the evening’s high tide after taking more time to prepare the ship and make use of a higher tide.
Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith noted the operation had been successful on social media platform X.
Satellite data, shortly after 9.15pm, appeared to show the ferry off the coast, with the tugs headed west.
Two tugs were deployed to refloat the grounded vessel — Maungatea and Monowai.
Aratere also used its own propulsion to contribute to the effort to draw the vessel back into clear water.
Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy credited KiwiRail for the successful operation — supported global experts and in collaboration with national and local agencies.
"I am delighted with the successful operation," he said. "We’re extremely grateful for the help and support of Maritime NZ, Port Marlborough NZ, the Harbour Master, our people, experts and customers, and authorities on the ground in Picton.
“We know this incident is extremely disruptive for our customers and appreciate their patience as we work with them to organise alternative arrangements."
The operation, led by KiwiRail, was expected to take several hours and got underway just after 7pm with the tugs leaving Picton wharves and manoeuvring into place at the stern of the stranded vessel.
The Aratere was being moved to a safe anchorage in Picton Harbour overnight to re-ballast and stabilise the vessel before returning to Picton Wharf.
Investigative work completed today green-lit a joint decision to refloat the vessel after the grounding pressure and vessel design of the ship was confirmed by divers, naval engineers, and technical experts.
The Interislander lost steering as it departed Picton, said the Transport Minster. (Drone footage supplied by Marlborough District Council / Skyworks UAS) (Source: 1News)
"We need to rebalance the weight of the vessel before it can move into the wharf and have its hull fully examined," Roy said.
"Maritime New Zealand, TAIC and KiwiRail are all undertaking investigations. Because safety is paramount, Aratere will not operate until it has been released by Maritime New Zealand.
"At this stage we cannot give a timeframe for its return to service.
“We are working with urgency to understand what has happened here."
Harbourmaster Jake Oliver earlier said precautions were in place to prevent the effort causing harm to the environment.
"Oil spill booms had been put in place to protect against any possible environmental effects but there is no sign of any oil spill. These will be moved out of the way while the vessel is refloated."
Vehicles aboard the 183m ferry were rearranged earlier in the day to ensure the ferry was properly balanced before the attempt to refloat it, said Transport Minister Simeon Brown.
Satellite data from marinetraffic.com confirmed the two tugs left Picton Harbour, reaching the stricken stricken ferry just before 7.30pm.
The Monowai and the Maungatea made two previous visits to the Aratere, including the earlier vaunted refloat effort on Saturday morning that was called off.
SHARE ME