The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is urgently calling on the Government to reverse its decision to terminate the contract for the MMA Vision, the only dedicated emergency ocean response vessel currently protecting the Cook Strait.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the recent failure of the Bluebridge ferry Connemara, which left 200 passengers stranded in Wellington Harbour overnight due to a ramp fault, serves as a warning.
He says the Connemara ramp failure is another symptom of the ongoing fragility of the Cook Strait ferry fleet.
This incident follows the Kaiarahi turning back to Wellington on Friday 12 December after experiencing steering issues in the Cook Strait.
“Whether Bluebridge or Interislander, we are seeing a pattern of mechanical failures in an ageing fleet pushed to its limit.”
The Maritime Union says removing the emergency tug is a dangerous gamble.
While the Government has announced new Interislander ferries are being procured, these are not due to arrive until 2029.
“We have a three-year gap where passengers and freight are relying on worn-out ships,” says Mr Findlay.
The MMA Vision, a high-capacity anchor handling tug with a 105-tonne bollard pull, was contracted as an interim safety measure following the Kaitaki mayday call in 2023.
Mr Findlay says the MMA Vision has already proven its worth by towing the stricken tanker Golden Mind off Stewart Island and rescuing the grounded barge Manahau at Westport.
Despite this track record, the Government plans to end the MMA Vision contract in February 2026, months ahead of schedule, citing cost savings.
“The Minister of Transport is prioritizing cost over safety,” Mr Findlay says. “We need to know exactly what maritime advice Transport Minister Chris Bishop received that justifies removing our only dedicated ocean rescue capability while the ferry fleet remains in such a precarious state.”
“Saving money will mean nothing if we face a disaster in the Cook Strait. The Government must maintain funding for an emergency tug based in Wellington.”
12 Responses
Both goverments have failed to manage our countrys funds and maintain our infrastructure to an acceptable level. This is highlighted by our aging ships which are now breaking down at an alarming rate. However i am concerned that this government doesnt seem to take into account the need to ensure peoples safety and having an emergency tug seems to be a valid option to achieve that.
I agree with the union we are wanting a trip around the North Island but we will not do it the way the ferries are breaking down get real Bishop safety first.
This is reckless, irresponsible and shortsighted.
Two key factors to consider…
Mechanically unreliable vessels × 4
Treacherous Cook Strait weather
this govt is more worried about money than people but Labour went tfar to far borrowing money giving money away with out proper over site but getting rid of the tug is a very stupid move bishop needs to rethink this
Trim a billion from the defense spend and keep us a rescue tug, please!
This is one of the most asinine ideas the Minister of Transport has ever come up with!
Maybe he does not remember the Wahine disaster? Does he not remember the grounding of Michail Lermontov?
Does he want to discourage large ships visiting Wellington? They often need the assistance of a tug.
Does he not realise that Wellington Harbour opens onto a very dangerous stretch of ocean?
This is a major saftey issue and I hope the peoole will stand up and say a reaounding NO to Chris Bishop.
Are we looking at another wahine disaster
MUNZ are right. To not have a minimum of one tug that is capable of working the Cook Strait is ill considered. Don’t let the history of the Wahine and other ill fated ships go unheeded. Apologies, tears and national enquiries can be avoided by the application of common sense.
We used to have 2 tugs (kupe and toia) which were capable of working the ferries but someone decided to get new tugs which are only Harbour tugs
national government should do the right thing instead of putting people lives at risk
Keep the tug its ano brai er duh