22 Nov 2023

Interislander ferry hoped to be repaired by tomorrow

6:27 pm on 22 November 2023
The hole in Cook Strait ferry Kaiarahi.

The hole was about one metre across, the harbourmaster said. Photo: Supplied / Regan Ingley

A Cook Strait ferry operator hopes to have a one-metre hole in the hull of one of its ships repaired by tomorrow.

Interislander's Kaiārahi was damaged during berthing ten days ago, causing hundreds of cancelled bookings.

The accident happened just days after another Cook Strait ferry - Bluebridge's Connemara - hit a wharf while leaving Wellington.

Interislander's general manager of operations Duncan Roy said repairs to Kaiārahi were progressing well.

"Ultrasonic weld-testing is underway today and we are on track to return the ship to service on Thursday night or earlier. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while our team works to get Kaiarahi back into safe service as quickly as possible."

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs