KiwiRail, New Zealand’s largest transport operator, has been fined $432,500 for not properly maintaining its ferry, the Kaitaki. This failure resulted in the ferry losing power and drifting towards dangerous rocks while carrying 864 passengers and crew. Many passengers reported feeling scared as they realized the ship was heading towards the rocks in the dark. One passenger described the situation as terrible, especially with young babies and elderly people on board.
Maritime New Zealand prosecuted KiwiRail for not keeping passengers and crew safe when the ferry lost power. KiwiRail, a state-owned company, admits it is guilty of this charge, which could have led to a fine of up to $1.5 million. The incident happened on January 28, 2023, while the ferry was traveling from Picton to Wellington. The engines failed, and the ship was left drifting near the shore.
A mayday call was made, and everyone prepared for evacuation. Fortunately, the crew managed to drop anchors and restart two engines and two thrusters before the situation worsened. An investigation by Maritime New Zealand found that KiwiRail had failed to replace necessary parts in the ferry’s cooling systems, despite prior warnings about maintenance needs.
Maritime NZ highlighted that the issue was the inadequate inspection and replacement of important components, like the worn-out compensators. KiwiRail’s executive general manager, Duncan Roy, apologized in court, saying they have learned from the incident and are focusing on safety improvements.
Maritime NZ’s counsel, Ben Finn, noted that it was lucky no one was injured. He mentioned that some passengers have stopped using the ferry because they fear it, recalling the tragic Wahine ferry disaster. KiwiRail’s lawyer, Mark Campbell, acknowledged the serious risk but emphasized that an emergency response helped prevent a worse outcome.
