Blackout in Cook Strait - Copy

When the Interislander ferry Kaitaki lost all electrical and propulsive power on its approach to Wellington Harbour on the afternoon of Saturday 28 January 2023, 864 people’s lives were in real jeopardy. The failure was ultimately traced to a rubber expansion joint (REJ).

The incident occurred in close proximity to the site of New Zealand’s worst modern-day maritime disaster, the April 1968 foundering of Wahine, the Union Steam Ship Company’s 8,948gt and 149m ro-pax ferry. On an overnight crossing from Lyttelton, the 927-person-capacity vessel lost power during a severe storm and struck Barrett Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Ultimately, 53 people died during or as a result of the accident.

However, the 22,365gt and 181.6m ro-pax Kaitaki, which had promptly issued a Mayday call and commenced emergency preparations, was able to hold fast and proceed to CentrePort Wellington under its own power and with a tug escort.

The events of the day

A 68-page report produced in May this year by New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) notes that