Pacific Sky cleared to sail

8.30pm

The cruise ship Pacific Sky is scheduled to leave Auckland tomorrow afternoon after more than two weeks in detention to repair corrosion damage.

The P&O ship had to turn back to New Zealand midway through a trip to Tonga last month after taking water. It was confined to Auckland's Devonport Naval Base while repairs were completed.

The Maritime Safety Authority confirmed today that the ship had passed an inspection of the repair work and had been released from detention by the authority and Lloyds classification society.

P&O Cruises managing director Gavin Smith said the company was delighted the ship, with 1505 passengers and 625 crew, would be able to sail tomorrow for Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine