The Interislander ferry has reportedly lost power on the Cook Strait and a state of emergency has been declared, according to a Stuff reporter aboard the ferry.
The ferry called out around 5pm and staff handed out life jackets.
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Harbor Master Grant Nalder of the Greater Wellington Regional Councilconfirmed that the ferry had lost power and was in the process of restoring it. It had lost power “just left of Sinclair head” about a nautical mile offshore.
“Every effort is being made to keep everyone on board safe. We are looking at which ships can help,” Nalder said.
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He understood that they had dropped one anchor to stay in place.
“It’s not a very nice day out there,” he said, adding that there was a 10-foot swell with winds of about 40 knots.
Ross Setford
The Interislander ferry has lost power on the Cook Strait. (File photo)
Nalder said it was a “development situation.”
The Stuff A reporter on board was told that two tugs were underway with another ferry on standby.
KiwiRail, the operator of Interislander, has been approached for comment.
More to come