Lifeboat problem keeps ferry in port

A broken lifeboat winch aboard the Interislander ferry Aratere today forced the cancellation of two sailings with a nervous wait ahead to see if Easter traffic will be hampered.

Ferries operator Toll's spokeswoman Sue Foley said the 6am sailing to Picton and the 10am return trip to Wellington had been cancelled after the discovery of the problem with the winch.

All passengers had been accommodated aboard other ferries.

Toll was waiting to hear from Maritime New Zealand if the 2pm sailing could go ahead following more liferafts being taken aboard.

There were enough liferafts for 500 people and the ship carried only about 350 passengers.

Passengers who had booked for the 2pm Aratere sailing and had given contact details had also been contacted and moved to other sailings in case the Aratere was not allowed out.

"If not they'll be on a later sailing," Ms Foley said.

She was confident Toll could cope with all travel demands over Easter, irrespective of whether Maritime New Zealand gave the Aratere the all-clear.

- NZPA