Post by ferryfast admin on Mar 3, 2006 13:37:55 GMT -5
Waves 'as big as houses' batter ferry
04 March 2006
By KIM RUSCOE and DEE WILSON
Interislander ferry Aratere limped into Picton, vehicles adrift on lower decks and passengers battered and bruised, after being hammered by 10-metre swells and 125kmh winds in Cook Strait.
It is understood six rail carriages and some private cars came adrift during yesterday's 2pm sailing, which took almost eight hours instead of the usual three. An area was cordoned off at the Picton terminal to provide "privacy" for passengers as they arrived off the ship about 10.30pm. Two ambulances and the fire service were on standby.
Four people were injured: two had cracked ribs and another an injured arm. A fourth was said by passengers to have been "badly smashed up".
Passengers Christine Hansen, of Hamilton, and Gisela Hartwig, of Marlborough, said the waves were as big as houses. They could not stand, seats were slewing across the floor and "furniture was flying".
Passengers reported a "definite list" to the ship as it limped into Picton.
Interislander spokeswoman Sue Foley said those whose vehicles were damaged had been given rental cars and all passengers' fares would be refunded.
Marlborough harbourmaster Alex van Wijngaarden said the Aratere's master decided midway across Cook Strait to divert from the usual course through Tory Channel and to take the longer but safer northern entrance.
The Kaitaki also struggled in the storm that lashed much of New Zealand yesterday and a tugboat was called in to help it berth at Wellington shortly before 7pm.
All Interislander and Bluebridge evening sailings were cancelled, stranding up to 1000 passengers. The ferries were expected to resume this morning.
The gale also caused havoc on land, lifting roofs, bringing down trees, signs and power lines in Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wellington. There were power cuts in Wairarapa.
Wellington Airport duty manager Stephen Rybinski said planes were able to land but were delayed up to 15 minutes by strong winds.
MetService forecaster Allister Gorman said wind gusts reached 140km/h at Mt Kaukau and 126kmh in some Wellington suburbs late yesterday afternoon, but were expected to ease overnight.
04 March 2006
By KIM RUSCOE and DEE WILSON
Interislander ferry Aratere limped into Picton, vehicles adrift on lower decks and passengers battered and bruised, after being hammered by 10-metre swells and 125kmh winds in Cook Strait.
It is understood six rail carriages and some private cars came adrift during yesterday's 2pm sailing, which took almost eight hours instead of the usual three. An area was cordoned off at the Picton terminal to provide "privacy" for passengers as they arrived off the ship about 10.30pm. Two ambulances and the fire service were on standby.
Four people were injured: two had cracked ribs and another an injured arm. A fourth was said by passengers to have been "badly smashed up".
Passengers Christine Hansen, of Hamilton, and Gisela Hartwig, of Marlborough, said the waves were as big as houses. They could not stand, seats were slewing across the floor and "furniture was flying".
Passengers reported a "definite list" to the ship as it limped into Picton.
Interislander spokeswoman Sue Foley said those whose vehicles were damaged had been given rental cars and all passengers' fares would be refunded.
Marlborough harbourmaster Alex van Wijngaarden said the Aratere's master decided midway across Cook Strait to divert from the usual course through Tory Channel and to take the longer but safer northern entrance.
The Kaitaki also struggled in the storm that lashed much of New Zealand yesterday and a tugboat was called in to help it berth at Wellington shortly before 7pm.
All Interislander and Bluebridge evening sailings were cancelled, stranding up to 1000 passengers. The ferries were expected to resume this morning.
The gale also caused havoc on land, lifting roofs, bringing down trees, signs and power lines in Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wellington. There were power cuts in Wairarapa.
Wellington Airport duty manager Stephen Rybinski said planes were able to land but were delayed up to 15 minutes by strong winds.
MetService forecaster Allister Gorman said wind gusts reached 140km/h at Mt Kaukau and 126kmh in some Wellington suburbs late yesterday afternoon, but were expected to ease overnight.