Technical issues halt two Cook Strait ferry crossings in one day

Two Interislander ferry crossings were halted and left drifting for around half an hour on the Cook Strait on Wednesday due to technical and electrical issues. Photo / File

Two Interislander ferries suffered technical issues in rough seas this week.

A passenger on the first crossing, which left Wellington at 8.30am on Wednesday, said the ferry was approaching the Marlborough Sounds when it abruptly stopped.

"It did a hard left turn and then the lights went out - the power was obviously cut," he said.

The ferry crew explained there had been a technical issue, the passenger said, but said the ferry needed to do a loop while the crew did diagnostics.

"She was really clear, she said 'we're going to do a full circle to make sure that everything is okay'."

The passenger's partner said it was concerning because of how rough the sea was.

"It wasn't a calm day that you'd just be like 'she'll be right mate'," she said.

She estimated the journey took around half an hour extra.

General manager of Interislander operations Mark Thompson said two ferries had difficulties, one a "minor electrical issue" and the other a "minor technical issue".

"During Kaitaki's 0830 sailing from Wellington to Picton on Wednesday, we experienced a minor electrical issue as we approached Tory Channel," he said.

""As a precaution the ship circled once while we reset the system, before continuing into Tory Channel."

On the same day, the crew on the 4pm Kaiarahi sailing from Picton had a technical issue with one of the boat's four engines.

Speed was reduced while the issue was resolved, he said.

Thompson said scheduled sailings were not affected and passengers were not in any danger.