Interislander ferry causes damage to Picton Harbour

KiwiRail's Interislander ferry Aratere.

Strong winds have caused Interislander ferry Aratere to move around, causing damage to a loading ramp in Picton Harbour.

KiwiRail said winds of up to 60 knots (110km/h) had caused the ship to move at its berth early this morning.

Damage to a nearby loading ramp was currently being assessed by Port Marlborough.

The ship itself was not damaged.

Light motor vehicles were able to be loaded and disembarked from ships, but rail freight was not being carried until an assessment of the ramp was completed, KiwiRail said.

Aratere was expected to sail once it was given safety clearance. Severe weather across the Cook Strait also meant many Interislander sailings would be delayed.

KiwiRail said that Interislander was advising customers to expect delays to sailings today and over the weekend due to the severe weather.

Interislander was contacting affected customers and advising them of revised sailing times to ensure any delays to travel were minimised, KiwiRail said.