Commuters late for work after ferry runs aground

Auckland commuters were stranded aboard a ferry after the boat became grounded on a sandbank this morning.

The Fullers ferry left Devonport at about 8.15am, but got just 50 metres from the wharf when it got stuck on a sandbank.

The 94 passengers on board had to be taken back to the wharf by a tug boat before boarding a replacement ferry.

Fullers operations manager Chris Douglas said the grounding was so gentle most passengers did not realise they were stuck.

"It appears the vessel either picked something up under the water or was affected by another vessel's wash, which caused her to drift into a sandbank."

"It was either a propeller or a tyre or something -- we're not quite sure," he said.

"As she was backing off, she drifted on to a sand bank because she was unable to manoeuvre."

Those on board were picked up after "about 10 minutes" and would have been about 45 minutes late getting to Auckland, Mr Douglas said. The ferry was moved by tug back to the wharf, about 100m away.

No-one was injured and the Maritime Safety Authority has been alerted.

He said the incident had caused no delays to later sailings.

- NZ HERALD and NZPA