Maritime Union expresses condolences following Cook Strait incident

Mar­itime Union of New Zealand Welling­ton Branch Sec­re­tary Fiona Mansell says the Union is deeply sad­dened after a pas­sen­ger fell over­board from the Kaiarahi fer­ry in the Cook Strait overnight.

“This is a shock­ing event, and our thoughts are first and fore­most with the fam­i­ly and loved ones of the indi­vid­ual involved,” says Ms. Mansell.

The Union has been in con­tact with its mem­bers on board the ves­sel to ensure their well­be­ing is being pri­or­i­tized.

“Our crew mem­bers are under­stand­ably shak­en by the night’s events. The Union has request­ed and is ensur­ing sup­port is avail­able to the crew, with a focus on those who had direct inter­ac­tion with the pas­sen­ger.”

Ms. Mansell says the Union is cur­rent­ly await­ing fur­ther infor­ma­tion as search and res­cue efforts con­tin­ue, and will not be mak­ing any fur­ther com­ment at this time.