Protest flotilla greets ferry

Kaitaki in Wellington this week. Picture / Mark Mitchell

A protest flotilla of about 30 boats met the ferry Kaitaki as it entered Tory Channel about 11am today.

They are protesting the speed at which the Kaitaki travels through the Sounds, saying a speed of 18 knots creates waves that damage the shoreline and swamp boats.

The protesters' craft included fishing boats, pleasure boats and water taxis.

Interislander owner Toll New Zealand is fighting Marlborough District Council's speed restriction of 15 knots, saying the limit will cost it millions of dollars.

The protesters carried placards which said "Safety B4 $" and "Stop wrecking our Sounds."

The Kaitaki was carrying 940 passengers and 220 vehicles on its trip from Wellington to Picton.

Uniformed police were aboard, and the police launch Lady Elizabeth accompanied the ferry.

Toll passenger services manager Martin Weekes told NZPA the ferry was travelling at 15 knots.

"The emphasis is on safety," he said.

Guardians of the Sounds, Picton police, Coastguard and Toll New Zealand met on Tuesday to discuss a planned protest against the ferry's speed.

Guardians of the Sounds said a flotilla protesting the speed of the ferry would only be a success if it was incident-free "and everybody acts in a responsible manner".

Once the ferry had berthed, the protesters planned to move into the inner harbour.

Spokesman Peter Beech said the protest had been carefully co-ordinated with the harbourmaster, Toll and the Maritime Safety Authority.

- NZPA