Repairs are underway on Interislander ferry Kaiarahi after it hit a wharf in Wellington, ripping a hole in its hull.
It followed a similar incident with Bluebridge’s Connemara vessel only days earlier.
The Kaiarahi is expected to be out of service for up to a week and customers affected by delays will be offered alternative sailings, free trips at a later date or refunds, KiwiRail says.
KiwiRail’s other Cook Strait ships, Aratere and Kaitaki, will have additional sailings added to their schedules.
The incident occurred at around 10pm on Sunday as the vessel came into berth, tearing a hole about one meter wide.
The damage occurred above waterline, meaning no further damage occurred as the vessel docked in the harbour.
It followed a separate incident with Bluebridge’s Connemara ferry which struck a separate Wellington wharf on November 8.
The resulted in the ferry turning back and leaving a dent and a “small hole” on the hull above waterline.
Wellington harbourmaster Grant Nalder told RNZ’s Morning Report they are unconnected events.
“I haven’t got a good reason why you get two of them a week apart.
“Over the life of all the ferries, they’re in and off the berth so often that you do get things go wrong and damage does occur,” Nalder said.
