Ferry crossings across Cook Strait cancelled due to high waves

Bluebridge has joined Interislander in cancelling ferry crossings from tonight due to heavy swells in Cook Strait.

Interislander’s only ferry currently operating, the Kaitaki, will not sail from 8.30pm tonight until early Thursday morning due to swells of more than four metres and strong southerly winds.

About 530 Interislander passengers have been affected after six ferry crossings were cancelled today, Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy confirmed to 1News in a statement.

“We have offered all affected passengers a reservation for a Saturday departure. We do not anticipate any delays,” he said.

The Aratere remains detained in Picton after running aground on June 21.

Six Bluebridge passenger crossings were also cancelled today.

Freight crossings will continue, however.

The extreme weather conditions are not expected to affect passenger numbers ahead of the school holidays, which start this weekend, with Interislander’s Kaiarahi ferry expected to resume service on Saturday, Roy said.

“Having Kaiarahi and Kaitaki operational from Saturday will ensure passenger and freight capacity during the school holidays.”

Kaiarahi passenger crossings will operate on a modified schedule for a week from Saturday, “to support the movement of more commercial vehicles and rail freight,” he said.

“We expect that any weather-related delays in freight transport should be resolved within a few days.”