Ferry sailings cancelled after near-miss

Interisland ferry Arahura. Photo / Ross Setford

Sailings of the Interislander ferry Arahura have been cancelled after a staff member was stood down following a near-miss with a recreational fishing boat.

The incident occurred off the coast of Wellington about 4pm on Monday, Fairfax reported.

One of the Arahura's deck officers had been stood down on full pay while the incident was investigated.

There was no suggestion at this stage that the officer stood down was at fault in the incident.

But his absence from the roster meant passenger sailings had been cancelled until tomorrow due to staffing shortages.

Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said the company needed 54 deck officers to operate its three ferries and at present had just under that number.