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Now that’s what I call a f****** ferry fiasco as New Zealand’s Tories ‘rat-f***’ their own ferry company

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Regular readers may remember that New Zealand’s state-owned lifeline Cook Strait Ferries have been drifting toward rocks with hundreds on board, running into harbours and stranding passengers on the wrong harbour with their elderly vessels, on average 10 years older than out CalMac boats.. The outgoing Labour government oversaw a contract for two new ferries ballooning to $2 billion and the incoming National (conservative) government completely cancelled the deal with a $3 million penalty to the Korean builders, putting the Ferguson Marine delays and over-runs into perspective. Tomorrow in the NZ Daily blog: Let’s get this completely straight. KiwiRail negotiates … Continue reading Now that’s what I call a f****** ferry fiasco as New Zealand’s Tories ‘rat-f***’ their own ferry company

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Drifts nearly onto the rocks, hits the harbour wall and now runs aground – New Zealand’s real ferry crisis

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By our International Ferry Correspondent In January 2023: Stricken Cook Strait ferry the Kaitaki drifted more than a nautical mile towards the rugged Wellington south coast in winds gusting over 100kph, it’s been revealed. The harbour ships that raced to her aid also likely lacked the grunt to pull her and 800 passengers to safety. Wellington Harbourmaster Grant Nalder on Sunday praised the professionalism of the crew and captain, who battled challenging conditions to drop two anchors and halt the powerless ship’s drift 0.9 nautical miles from shore and 0.6 nautical miles (1.1km) from hitting the sea floor. In November … Continue reading Drifts nearly onto the rocks, hits the harbour wall and now runs aground – New Zealand’s real ferry crisis

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After two elderly New Zealand ferries drift out of control and Government cancels contract for new ones, it offers to pay for towing (away from rocks) next time

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To read in full https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=New+Zealand To read in full https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=New+Zealand To read in full https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=New+Zealand From the New Zealand Herald today: The Government has announced $600,000 to investigate emergency towing options for Cook Strait which the maritime union says is an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff. There was no word in the Budget on what will replace Interislander’s cancelled mega ferries and Treasury says exiting the contract to build them is a fiscal risk. Last week the Herald revealed the Government was considering advice on improving emergency towing after two recent mayday calls. There is no emergency towing vessel on standby in New Zealand to help large ships in strife. Interislander’s … Continue reading After two elderly New Zealand ferries drift out of control and Government cancels contract for new ones, it offers to pay for towing (away from rocks) next time

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All 3 New Zealand Cook Strait ferries out of service after one drifts toward rocks with 800 passengers and Government refusal to replace

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From the Daily Cargo News yesterday: AN INTENSIFIED maintenance program for Interisland Line’s trouble-plagued Cook Strait ferries will see at all three out of service for protracted periods over coming months. The only rail-capable vessel, Aratere, will lay-by in Wellington for work from 11 to 23 May. Kaiarahi will undergo a ‘wet dock’ at the Waitohi West berth in Picton from 4 June until 6 July. And Kaitaki will have a much longer absence, due to the need for a comprehensive drydocking in Singapore, which involves a 14-dayvoyage up and 14 days back. This means Kaitaki will be out of service from 29 July to 6 October. … Continue reading All 3 New Zealand Cook Strait ferries out of service after one drifts toward rocks with 800 passengers and Government refusal to replace

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Disbelief spreading as Government is reportedly considering a Wellington mega tunnel after axing Cook Strait mega ferry project 

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New Zealand media is alive with From News Fahara today: Disbelief is spreading as the Government is reportedly considering a Wellington mega tunnel after axing the Cook Strait mega ferry project. The proposed tunnel, which would run underneath the capital city, has raised eyebrows due to its potential multi-billion dollar price tag. The decision comes on the heels of the Government’s refusal to fund the ferry project, which had seen significant cost overruns. https://news.faharas.net/en/disbelief-government-considering-wellington-mega/ And from the NZ Herald, also today: There’s disbelief the Government is considering a mega tunnel underneath Wellington, that will cost several billion dollars, after axing the … Continue reading Disbelief spreading as Government is reportedly considering a Wellington mega tunnel after axing Cook Strait mega ferry project 

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Ferry operator to be prosecuted after 800 passengers drift toward rocks near Wellington

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From the NZ Herald, yesterday: KiwiRail will face court after an Interislander ferry lost power and issued a mayday call while near Wellington’s south coast in January last year. Maritime New Zealand today confirmed it has filed a single charge against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act, after an investigation into procedures around safety and maintenance. The Kaitaki had more than 800 people on board for its 2.15pm sailing to Wellington on January 28 last year. Shortly before 5pm, the ship reported engine problems. Ten minutes later, it issued a mayday call after all four engines shut down amid … Continue reading Ferry operator to be prosecuted after 800 passengers drift toward rocks near Wellington