The Cook Strait ferry Aratere — which recently ran aground in Picton — has been damaged yet again while attempting to berth in Wellington this afternoon.
In a statement to 1News, KiwiRail confirmed there were 106 passengers and 40 crew on board at the time.
"At approximately 3.30pm this afternoon, while docking in Wellington in strong winds, Aratere made contact with the link span — the dock ramp that allows vehicles to access the vessel," a KiwiRail spokesperson said,
MetService said winds were gusting up to 43km/h in Wellington Harbour today.
KiwiRail said there has been some damage to the hull of the vessel "well above the waterline" and to the link span.
KiwiRail said there was some damage to the hull of the vessel "well above the waterline" and to the link span. (Source: 1News)
"No-one was injured and there is no danger to the ship, passengers or the environment as a result of this incident.
It said walk-on passengers had left the boat via the gangway and vehicles were also able to exit.
Passengers were delayed by 40 minutes while the situation was assessed.
A scheduled 4.30pm Aratere sailing from Wellington has since been cancelled.
The Picton Habour tugs played a key role in refloating the ferry after it ran aground on Friday night. (Source: 1News)
The latest incident months of trouble for the ferry. It ran aground on June 21 just north of Picton while on a freight-only sailing.
The ferry has been in Picton under the notice since it ran aground shortly after leaving the port on the evening of June 21 following what was believed to have been a steering failure.
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