Key Takeaways
- A man fell overboard from the Cook Strait ferry Livia during its morning sailing from Picton to Wellington and was successfully rescued alive.
- Passengers reported hearing five short horn blasts, being ordered to the cafeteria, and feeling violent vibrations that many initially thought indicated the ship was sinking.
- The vessel’s bow thrusters were actually operating at full power to turn the ship around quickly for the rescue effort.
- An orange rescue boat approached, retrieved the naked man from the water, and brought him aboard; the crew later announced he had been recovered and the ferry would continue to Wellington at best speed.
- The rescued individual is undergoing medical assessment, while police are interviewing him and investigating the circumstances of the fall.
- Harbourmaster Captain Jake Oliver acknowledged hearing “rumours” of the incident but deferred detailed questions to ferry operator Bluebridge.
- Location data shows the Livia departed Picton at 07:48 am, arrived in Wellington at 10:42 am, and is currently docked there.
- Built in 2008, the ferry can carry up to 500 passengers and began Cook Strait service in July 2025.
- A similar overboard incident occurred last month on an Interislander ferry during a nighttime sailing, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on the route.
Incident Overview
The Cook Strait ferry Livia experienced a man‑overboard event during its morning crossing from Picton to Wellington. According to an official brief note, “The person was safely retrieved and is being medically assessed. Police are speaking to the person and are making inquiries into the incident.” The rescue was swift, and the individual is now receiving medical attention while authorities work to establish how he ended up in the water.
Passenger Testimony: Initial Alarm
A passenger traveling with his father described the moment the alarm sounded: “The Livia was about an hour into its voyage, at the head of the Tory Channel, when five short toots of the ship’s horn rang out and passengers were called to immediately assemble in the cafeteria.” He added that a panicked staff member flung open a door, urging everyone inside, which heightened the sense of urgency among those on deck.
Perceived Danger and Vibration
Once inside, passengers noticed disturbing physical sensations: “The boat started making horrific vibration noises so everyone was quite panicked that something bad had happened to the boat itself.” Many feared the vessel might be taking on water or suffering a mechanical failure, not realizing at first that the vibrations were caused by the bow thrusters operating at maximum thrust to turn the ship around rapidly for a rescue maneuver.
Understanding the Bow Thrusters
The passenger later clarified the source of the commotion: “We weren’t aware that this was bow thrusters trying to turn the boat around as fast as they could.” The intense vibration was therefore a sign of the crew’s aggressive attempt to reposition the Livia quickly to reach the person in the water, rather than an indication of structural distress.
Visual Confirmation of Rescue
While seated in the cafeteria, the traveller and his father witnessed the rescue operation unfold: “We then spotted an orange boat travelling to collect a ‘naked man’ out of the water and ‘at about the same time there was an announcement made that there was a man overboard’.” They watched as the rescue crew pulled the man alive from the sea and brought him onto the ferry, providing a tangible confirmation that the incident was being addressed.
Subsequent Announcements and Emotional Response
Approximately five minutes after the initial overboard alert, a follow‑up announcement informed passengers that the man had been recovered and that the vessel would resume its journey to Wellington at best speed. The passenger described his mixed feelings: “It was a really nice relief for us to realise that the boat wasn’t sinking, but it was also sad to know there was someone overboard. And then it was quite a relief for us to see that they did pull him out of the water.” The emotional rollercoaster reflected both fear for the ship’s safety and concern for the individual’s wellbeing.
Official Statements and Investigative Steps
Marlborough Harbourmaster Captain Jake Oliver told the Herald he had only heard “rumours” of the event and referred further questions to ferry operator Bluebridge. Police, meanwhile, are actively engaged: “Police are speaking to the person and are making inquiries into the incident.” Their aim is to determine whether the fall was accidental, intentional, or resulted from any lapse in safety protocol.
Location and Vessel Details
Marine traffic data confirms that the Livia departed Picton at 07:48 am, arrived in Wellington at 10:42 am, and is presently docked there. Built in 2008, the ferry has a capacity of up to 500 passengers and commenced Cook Strait service in July 2025. These specifics help contextualize the vessel’s operational profile and recent service history.
Prior Safety Incident
The report notes that last month a person went overboard from an Interislander ferry during a nighttime sailing. Wellington District Commander Superintendent Penny Gifford stated that police were advised of the missing man at 2:20 am on March 31, and that the ferry crew only realized “some time after” the person had entered the water, prompting them to notify authorities. CCTV from the Kaiārahi ferry showed the man went into the water just after 11 pm—roughly two hours after the vessel left Picton—underscoring challenges in detecting such incidents promptly, especially in low‑visibility conditions.
Implications for Ferry Safety
The back‑to‑back overboard events raise questions about the adequacy of current safety measures on Cook Strait crossings, including rail heights, surveillance coverage, and crew training for rapid response. While the Livia’s crew managed a successful rescue this time, the recurrence of similar incidents suggests a need for heightened vigilance, possibly incorporating improved man‑overboard detection systems and more frequent safety drills to protect both passengers and crew.