Key Takeaways
- A mechanical issue with the Bluebridge ferry Connemara left hundreds of passengers stranded in Wellington harbour overnight.
- The problem was caused by a fault with the ramp, which was discovered shortly after the ferry’s departure from Wellington.
- Passengers spent around 15 hours stuck on the ferry, with some having to cancel their trips to the South Island as a result of the disruption.
- The ferry company apologized and offered refunds and rescheduling to affected passengers, as well as an additional sailing on another ferry to accommodate the backlog.
- Some passengers praised the staff onboard for their efforts to make the situation more comfortable, while others expressed frustration at the lack of communication and the impact on their travel plans.
Introduction to the Incident
A problem with a Bluebridge ferry has left passengers stranded, with some spending the night berthed in Wellington harbour. The Connemara, which was scheduled to sail from Wellington to Picton at 8:30pm, had to return to Wellington shortly after departure due to a fault with the ramp. The issue was discovered after the ferry had left the harbour, and the crew was unable to fix it, resulting in passengers and freight remaining on the vessel overnight.
The Experience of Passengers
Passengers on the ferry spent around 15 hours stuck onboard, with some having to cancel their trips to the South Island as a result of the disruption. One passenger told RNZ that they had to cancel their trip to the South Island, while others were reasonably relaxed and praised the ferry company for providing them with places to sleep and food and drink. Some tourists visiting New Zealand from Germany said they had to change their plans as a result of the disruption, including canceling a trip to Abel Tasman. The passengers were initially told that there would be a delay of around two hours, but this was later extended, causing frustration and disruption to their travel plans.
Response from Bluebridge
StraitNZ Bluebridge spokesperson Will Dady apologized "unreservedly" to everyone affected and said that the company would work with each passenger to refund and reschedule. The company also added an additional sailing of the Livia to accommodate the backlog of passengers. Dady said that the company was extremely disappointed to have experienced a mechanical issue during peak travel period and was working as quickly as possible to get up and running again. The company acknowledged that there would be a flow-on effect from the cancellation of sailings, but wanted to assure customers that they were doing everything they could to get them across the Strait as soon as possible.
Previous Issues with the Connemara
The Connemara has experienced mechanical issues in the past, including a loss of power during a sailing in September 2024 due to contaminated fuel. The ferry was left drifting for over two hours and required a rescue from tug boats. This incident has raised concerns about the reliability of the ferry service and the impact on passengers.
Passenger Reactions
Passengers had mixed reactions to the incident, with some praising the staff onboard for their efforts to make the situation more comfortable. Petra Clarke told RNZ that it had been a "long and boring" night onboard, but praised the staff for putting on a free breakfast for passengers. However, others expressed frustration at the lack of communication and the impact on their travel plans. Greg Brunton, who was supposed to be on the Friday afternoon sailing out of Picton, said that he was stranded after receiving an email at 1am saying that the sailing was cancelled. Brunton was unable to get a booking until next month and was told that it was not the ferry company’s problem to find him alternative accommodation.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of reliable and efficient ferry services, particularly during peak travel periods. The impact on passengers can be significant, with some having to cancel their trips or change their plans as a result of the disruption. While the ferry company has apologized and offered refunds and rescheduling, it is clear that more needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident also raises concerns about the communication and customer service provided by the ferry company, with some passengers expressing frustration at the lack of information and support.
