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Another sailing by the troubled replacement Interislander ferry Stena Alegra has been cancelled – this time because of rough weather.
Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said scheduled 5pm sailing had been cancelled and passengers were being transferred to the 7pm sailing of the Kaitaki.
The Kaitaki was a more comfortable ship and better able to handle rough conditions in Cook Strait where strong winds whipped up heavy seas.
The Stena Alegra, which broke down in Wellington Harbour yesterday, was not fitted with stabilisers although it had flume tubes which were designed to have a similar effect.
The ferry, which was chartered at short notice to replace the crippled Aretere, suffered engine trouble shortly after it left the Wellington terminal yesterday.
It finally got away later in the day arriving at Picton last night and returning to Wellington
again
today, said Mr Thomas.
“There are four-metre swells out in the strait which makes it very uncomfortable for passengers, regardless of the ferry.”
Conditions were expected to moderate later in the evening , so we are offering an alternative sailing at 7pm with the Kaitaki.
”Even so we expect there will be some passengers who opt to wait until calmer conditions tomorrow morning.”
The Stena Alegra is expected to sail again tomorrow.
Stena Alegra staying dockside due to rough seas