Discover the Kaiarahi: Ratings & Maritime News

**Title: Search Efforts for Overboard Passenger from 'Kaiārahi' Suspended Amid Adverse Conditions** On the night of March 30, 2026, at approximately 11 p.m., a distressing incident occurred aboard the ferry 'Kaiārahi' as it traversed the Cook Strait. Authorities were notified early on March 31, around 2:20 a.m., after the discovery of an unmanned vehicle during the disembarkation process of the fully booked ferry raised alarms. Initial searches on the vessel and attempts to contact the missing passenger proved futile. A review of the onboard CCTV footage revealed that the individual had gone overboard several hours prior. The New Zealand Police Maritime Unit, along with the Rescue Coordination Centre, commenced a coordinated search operation shortly after 4 a.m. Various assets were deployed, including multiple police units and Coastguard resources. A rescue helicopter initiated search patterns a few kilometers off the coast near Red Rocks, while ten volunteers from Coastguard Wellington actively searched the waters aboard the rescue vessels 'Reremoana' and 'Spirit of Wellington'. The operation was led by the Rescue Coordination Centre NZ, which undertook comprehensive efforts to locate the missing person. As the day progressed, unfortunately, deteriorating weather conditions necessitated the suspension of the search efforts on April 1. Despite extensive searching, the missing individual was not located. In light of the circumstances, nearby vessels were advised to remain vigilant and keep a lookout for any signs of the passenger.

**Title: Kaiārahi Ferry Set for Repairs Over Weekend** KiwiRail is optimistic about reinstating the 'Kaiārahi' ferry into service by the close of the weekend of March 14-15. The vessel has been sidelined since March 10, when it experienced a recurring technical glitch while docked in Picton. Following an extensive assessment, engineers pinpointed the issue and arranged for a replacement part, sourced from abroad, which was anticipated to arrive on the afternoon of March 13. To expedite the repairs, an Interislander staff member traveled overseas to retrieve essential components for the ferry’s restoration. Once the necessary part is in hand, trials for the 'Kaiārahi' are scheduled for March 14 and 15. In the meantime, to accommodate travelers during this disruption, eight additional sailings on the 'Kaitaki' ferry are planned for March 15 and 16, coinciding with the vessel's regular layby. Passengers who had their journeys on the 'Kaiārahi' impacted have been successfully relocated to 'Kaitaki' sailings, primarily on the same day. The outage has also affected around 1300 private vehicles; as a remedy, affected customers are being offered full refunds, complimentary rebooking options, and compensation for any reasonable costs incurred due to the ferry’s suspension. Interislander remains committed to prioritizing urgent freight that cannot be transported across the Cook Strait by alternative means, ensuring the seamless movement of goods during this period.

**Title: 'Kaiārahi' Ferry Out of Commission Due to Mechanical Issues** **Content:** The recent technical malfunction of the 'Kaiārahi' ferry has sparked concerns over potential supply chain disruptions as KiwiRail's Interislander fleet is now operating with only one vessel. The mechanical fault was first reported on the morning of March 7, 2026, during the ferry's berthing process in Wellington. Though the ferry managed to dock safely, several sailings were promptly cancelled as engineers initiated investigations and conducted repairs during a scheduled maintenance period. The 'Kaiārahi' returned to service on March 10; however, the issue re-emerged later that evening following another successful docking. This recurrence allowed the engineering team to pinpoint the underlying problem, prompting the need for a replacement part, which is currently being sourced from overseas. In light of the situation, KiwiRail has proactively scheduled additional sailings for the 'Kaitaki' on March 8 and March 9, dates typically reserved for maintenance, to help maintain service capacity across the Cook Strait. KiwiRail aims to have the 'Kaiārahi' back in operation by early next week, pending successful testing and necessary regulatory approval.

Passengers stuck on the 'Kaiārahi ' for more than six hours, after the ferry suffered steering problems during its voyage across the Cook Strait to Picton on Dec 12, 2025. The ship had left Wellington at about 3:30 p.m. LT, but as it was approaching the Tory Channel and did th regular checks, the crew found something was behaving oddly with the steering. The ferry didn't go through the channel but went out into Cook Strait to test what it was. After doing that, it was decided to return to Wellington. While there was a technical problem with the steering, there was full control of the wheel. The ship slowly headed back to Wellington Harbour since about 8 p.m. and berthed at 10.05 p.m., allowing passengers to get off the ferry at 10.40 p.m. Technical staff based in Wellington started investigating the problem. The appropriate authorities have been notified, and the operator wasl working with the passengers and freight customers to reschedule them.

The 'Kaiarahi' broke down had to be towed back to Wellington after departing for Picton on Dec 23, 2024, at around 1 p.m. NZ time with passengers on board, after the crew had detected a technical issue, a temperature fault related to a lubrication pump. The fault was quickly resolved and the vessel resumed the voyage to Picton, around an hour behind schedule.

On March 13, 2024, all passenger sailings betweeen Picton and Wellington on the 'Kaiarahi' have been cancelled until the afternoon of March 17 at the earliest. The Cook Strait ferry continued sailing with freight, but would not take passengers until a mechanical fault is fixed. The operator Interislander initially cancelled the three sailings on March 13, but has now extended the cancellations, after, dring a scheduled asset maintenance survey, a fault was found with the lifeboat reengagement system, used to reattach the lifeboats onto the ship after use. While the safety of the ship was unaffected, further testing revealed a faulty part requiring replacement. Until that part is sourced, the ferry would not take passengers. Customers were contacted and transferred to the next available sailing, or offered a refund.

The 'Kaiarahi' was forced to return to Wellington following a medical emergency onboard in the afternoon of Feb 20, 2023. It had just left Wellington Harbour en route to Cook Strait. A Wellington Free Ambulance crew met the ferry when it docked and transported one patient to Wellington Hospital in a moderate condition. This meant delays to Kaiarahi sailings through the rest of the day.