Late turn triggers ferry probe

Strait Shipping's passenger and freight ferry BlueBridge is being investigated after it apparently went off course while entering Wellington Harbour.

Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Heidi Brook confirmed yesterday that authority officials were investigating the incident, said to have happened about 10.30am on April 14, but said she could not specify what the incident was: "We're looking to see if it warrants a full investigation."

Strait Shipping spokeswoman Wendy Pannett said it was a minor incident and at no time were the passengers or ship in any danger.

"The ship was turning on its approach to Wellington Harbour, well off the coast, when it turned slightly later than it normally would."

Ms Brook said it was the 10th time the ferry had been under investigation since its arrival in Wellington two years ago.

Previous investigations included a close encounter with a container ship, two engine failures, two power blackouts, a mechanical breakdown and an operational incident.

The ship was also investigated after the owner of another vessel said the BlueBridge had struck its bow while leaving Wellington Harbour in June last year. The findings were inconclusive.

The April 14 incident is one of a run of mishaps involving Cook Strait passenger ferries.

Last Sunday, the Interislander ferry Arahura was left adrift in storm-lashed seas after its engines failed at the entrance to Tory Channel. The ship finally limped into Picton under tug escort more than three hours late.

The incident was being investigated by both the authority and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

Just four days earlier, it was revealed that the ferry Aratere - nicknamed El Lemon by its crew - was under investigation for the 45th time.

The Aratere was detained in Picton by the authority after its steering failed on entering Wellington harbour and was banned from carrying passengers for a month.

Investigations were continuing into a near-grounding in Tory Channel after the Aratere's rudders failed to respond to its automatic navigation system and a close encounter in Wellington Harbour.

- NZPA