STRAIT FERONIA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Allision in Picton

The "Strait Feronia" allided with a dock in Picton on July 16, 2019, while trying to berth in windy condidions. Repair teams were mobilized to get the floating link-span of the vessel fixed as quickly as possible. The impact had damaged the wharf and left a the ferry unable to dock. Engineers were called to assess the damages to the "Strait Feronia". She was berthed alongside Waitohi Wharf until further assessments could be carried out in daylight. Several Cook Strait sailings had to be cancelled and caused disruptions.

Ferry is leaking oil

The "Strait Feronia" was permanentky leaking oil into the Cook Strait - maybe for months - with no clear solution in sight. The leak was minor - five litres in a 24-hour period at most - but a fix for the problem would require a trip overseas to a dry dock. The leak was noticed in one of the two stem tube seals. There was an intermittent leak of oil that sometimes was nothing and some days was up to five litres. Bluebridge has been using expensive bio-degradable lubricant until the problem was fixed. The closest dry dock of sufficient size was in Sydney but it was a naval dock that was hard to get a slot in.

New Bluewater ferry arrived in Wellington after 45-day-ride

The "Strait Feronia" arrived in Wellington on May 31 after a 45-day trip from Sweden. Strait Shipping, which owns and operates Bluebridge, bought the vessel in January to replace the "Santa Regina". The ferry will officially join the Strait Shipping fleet sailing in late June. It will be the longest ship on the route when it enters service. The passenger facilities include a movie lounge, cafe and bar, children's play area, and drivers cabins. The main passenger area of the ferry was completely refurbished, including a new servery and updated floor and new radars were added and other bridge equipment was updated. The ship also received a new paint in dry dock in Sweden. Reports with photos and video: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/69008426/new-bluebridge-ferry-arrives-in-wellington.html http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11458028